A former Speech and Language Pathologist for nearly 20 years, I began educating our 3 children full-time in 2015 and have cherished every gifted moment (even the challenges). But what is interwoven into all aspects of daily life (as a wife, via motherhood, teaching, friendship, fitness, etc.) is Christian Apologetics (1 Peter 3:15)… which is why this blog exists.
When heartbreak visits, the Peace that carries me through comes from one Person: Jesus. We may not understand why certain trials come, but as Spurgeon once encouraged, “when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.” Jesus modeled what trust looks like when placing His life completely into His Father’s Hands. With tears dropping from His face like blood, Jesus prayed “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42). And with Jesus’s help, we can pray in the same way…trading our cares for His plans.
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.
Psalm 62:8
In the fall of 2008, a memorable opportunity to trust God’s heart presented itself. Steve and I were 12 weeks pregnant with our first baby. We were so in-love with him or her ♥️… We wondered what her name might be. We dreamt about her sweet smile. We wondered if she might have brown eyes like Daddy, or blue eyes like mommy, or hazel like Oma…And we bursted at the thought of sharing God’s love with her, day-in and day-out. We could’t wait to meet her face-to-face. But instead of greeting our baby in May, we found ourselves in the Emergency Room in November saying, “Goodbye.” While the IV gave medicine that eased the physical pain, the emotional hurt that enveloped my heart was immense. The ultrasound showed that we had miscarried. Friends, I can’t remember a time prior to that day when I had weeped so vulnerably to God…let alone before my sweet husband. But as we walked out of the hospital, my heart was comforted immediately by God’s sweetness. Illuminating against the dark sky were beautiful snowflakes that fell softly upon my face. They reminded me that while the reasons for her departure were unknown, God was with us. We were not alone in the sorrow…He was there. In the hours and days that followed, His good and perfect gifts (James 1:17) were so very evident: in the heartfelt hugs from family and friends, the meals that came to our home, the cards, the visits, and most of all…in the prayers that surrounded us. And wouldn’t you know it – God soon began crossing our paths with other families who had also experienced the pain of miscarriage. The comfort He had given us (via prayer, His Word, as well as through community), was being shared authentically with these families… It was an incredibly healing gift to have His compassion work in and through us (2 Corinthians 1:3).
Nevertheless, not my will, but Yours be done.
Luke 22:42
Despite enduring 3 miscarriages (along with other trials), the help God has faithfully provided has always been more than enough. The love that God shares and supplies truly is abundantly beyond what any of us can ask or imagine…and oftentimes, His love is most vividly encountered within times of adversity. (Ephesians 3:20-21; Philippians 4; Romans 12; Galatians 6; Proverbs 17:17; James 1). Elisabeth Elliot, one of my favorite authors, penned trust with these words “If my life is surrendered to God, all is well. Let me not grab it back, as though it were in peril in His hand but would be safer in mine!” Be encouraged, friends- what is unknown to us, is known by God. (Psalm 139; Hebrews 4:13) What appears impossible to us, is not to God (Luke 1:37) And while we may not understand His plans, we can certainly trust His heart. (James 4:7; Proverbs 3:5) Wherever you may be right now, take a breath and pray. No question is too lofty; no sorrow is too deep; and no past is beyond His Grace. God’s got you!
Lord, stamp eternity on my eyeballs.
J. Edwards
Much Love,
Meridith
Boaz, Ben, Norah, and Steve (3 kiddos in Heaven, 3 in our arms)
Provided here for you is a collection of Scriptures pertaining to God’s comfort, sprinkled with quotes by Christian author and speaker, Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015).
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
…the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction…
2 Cor 1:3-4
Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
God is our refuge, our strength, and a very present help in trouble.
PSALM 46:10
Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”
I will be with you
Isa 43:2
Psalm 40:1-2 “I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.”
Hebrews 13:5-6 He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
The Lord is my Helper; I will not fear;
Heb 13:5-6
1 Peter 5:6-7 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.”
Romans 5:3-5 “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
1 Peter 1:6-7 “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Psalm 18:30 “This God—His way is perfect; the word of the Lordproves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.
Psalms 13:3, 5-6 “Consider me and answer, Lord my God. Restore brightness to my eyes;…But I have trusted in Your faithful love; my heart will rejoice in Your deliverance. I will sing to the Lord because He has treated me generously.”
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Matt 5:4
Genesis 41:52 “The name of the second he called Ephraim, ‘For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.’” (John 15:5; 1 Cor 1:30; 2 Cor 12:9)
2 Corinthians 4:17 “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison…”
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
I will give you rest. – Jesus
Matthew 11:28
Psalm 119:76 “Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to Your servant.”
Psalm 119:50 “This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your promise gives me life.”
Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
His Faithfulness is a shield
Psalm 91
Psalm 91:1-16 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,”
Matthew 5:1-48 “Seeing the crowds, He went up on the mountain, and when He sat down,Hhis disciples came to him. And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the Lord;…let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
John 16:22 “So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”
The Peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus
Phi 4:6-7
Philippians 4:6-7 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the Peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
Psalm 16:1-2 “Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from You.”
God, in You I take refuge.
Psalm 16
Psalm 16:5-6 “The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; You hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.”
Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Psalm 126:5 “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!”
Nehemiah 8:11 “…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
His joy will be your strength
Neh 8:11
Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Matthew 28:30 “And behold, I am (Jesus) with you always, to the end of the age.”
Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
The Lord saves the crushed in spirit
Psalm 34:18
Matthew 5:3-4 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Psalm 147:3 “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Habakkuk 3:17-19 “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet like the deer’s; He makes me tread on my high places.”
The Lord is my strength
Hab 3:18-19
Psalm 23:1-6 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
Isaiah 53:3-4 “He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows;”
He has borne (taken upon Himself) our griefs and carried our sorrows;
Isa 53
Romans 8:35,37-39 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? …No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Nothing can separate us from God’s Love
Romans 8
Romans 8:24-25 “For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”
Isaiah 66:13 “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”
Hebrews 12:2-3 “…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
But take heart; I have overcome the world. – Jesus
John 16:33
Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”
Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Psalm 55:22 “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you…”
Isaiah 40:29-31 “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him.
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him.
Nahum 1:7
Job 5:11 “He sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.”
Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”
Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
By the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Rom 15:13
Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Isaiah 51:3 “For the Lord comforts Zion; He comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.”
John 14:1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
Psalm 116:1-2 “I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because He inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as long as I live.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
2 Corinthians 1:4-7 “Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.”
…so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 CoR 1
Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”
Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
Christ in you
Gal 2:20
Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Psalm 18:2 “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
2 Corinthians 1:5 “For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.”
…we share abundantly in Christ’s suffering, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
2 Cor 1:5
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Isaiah 46:4 “even to your old age I am He, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.”
Isaiah 40:31 “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
The Lord shall renew their strength
Isa 40:31
Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places…”
Ephesians 6:16-18 “Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”
Hebrews 6:18-19 “…so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,”
Psalm 62:8 “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.”
Pour out your heart before Him…
Psalm 62:8
Matthew 6:8 “…for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”
2 Corinthians 1:11 “You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.”
Romans 8:26-28 “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”
God works all things together for good…
Rom 8
Romans 15:30 “I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf,”
1 Kings 19:5-8 “And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.”
2 Timothy 1:7 “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
Psalm 73:26 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
…God is the strength of my heart
Psalm 73:26
Romans 8:38-39 “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Lamentations 3:22-23 “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
2 Timothy 2:13 “if we are faithless, He remains faithful— for He cannot deny Himself.”
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
The Lord is with you wherever you go.
Josh 1:9
Deuteronomy 31:8 “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”
Psalm 27:4-5 “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. For He will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble; He will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.”
Hebrews 12:11 “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
He will restore and strengthen you
1 Peter 5:10
Psalm 13:3 “Consider me and answer, Lord my God. Restore brightness to my eyes… 1 Peter 5:10 “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
1 Chronicles 16:11 “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”
We are more than conquerors through Him
Romans 8
Romans 8:37-39 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing…”
Philemon 1:7 “For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.”
John 14:26-27 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
My Peace I give to you.
John 14
Romans 14:8 “For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.”
Lamentations 3:31-32 For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love;
Romans 8:1-4 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”
Psalm 34:17-19, 22 “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all…The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.”
Romans 12:12-16 “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.”
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep…
Romans 12:15
1 Peter 5:10 “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
Psalm 56:8 “You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?”
2 Corinthians 7:6 “But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus…”
2 Timothy 1:7 “…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
Isaiah 40:11-13 “He will tend his flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows Him his counsel?”
He will carries you in His bosom (next to His heart)…
Isa 40
John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Psalm 31:7 “I will rejoice and be glad in Your steadfast love, because You have seen my affliction; You have known the distress of my soul,”
1 Thessalonians 4:13 “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.”
Philippians 2:1-30 “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,”
2 Corinthians 5:6-8 “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”
…for we walk by faith, not by sight
1 Cor 5
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.”
James 1:2-4 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Isaiah 61:1-3 “The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of our God’s vengeance; to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who mourn in Zion; to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, festive oil instead of mourning, and splendid clothes instead of despair. And they will be called righteous trees, planted by the Lord to glorify Him.” ♡︎
1 Kings 19:3-9 “Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” …
1 Peter 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,”
John 1:29 “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
Because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
2 Peter 3:13 “But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
John 14:2 “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?”
1 Corinthians 2:9 “But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—
Deuteronomy 3:22 “You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you.’”
The Lord fights for you
Deu 3:22
John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.”
Psalm 30:5 “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
Luke 22:42 and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from Me. Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.”
2 Corinthians 7:13 “Therefore we are comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.”
Daniel 3:17-18 “If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Colossians 3:2-4 “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”
Jesus is your life
Acts 17:28
Acts 17:28 “‘In Him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed His offspring.’
Psalm 121: 1-2 “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.”
Psalm 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”
Jeremiah 32:17 ‘Ah, Lord God! It is You who have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for You.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
My Grace is sufficient FOR you…
2 Cor 12:9
Psalm 139:1-15, 17-18 “O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.”
Psalm 139:5-6 “You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.”
psalm 139:7 “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.”
You will lead me…
Psalm 139:7
Psalm 139:13-15 “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth…”
Psalm 139:17 “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.”
Psalm 109:21-22 “But you, O God my Lord, deal on my behalf for Your name’s sake; because Your steadfast Love is good, deliver me! For I am poor and needy, and my heart is stricken within me.
Psalm 147:3 “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Genesis 41:52 “The name of the second he called Ephraim, ‘For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.’” (John 15:5; 1 Cor 1:30; 2 Cor 12:9)
God has made me fruitful
Genesis 41:52
Luke 15:20 “And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”
Elisabeth Elliot’s, “Suffering is Never for Nothing:”
An excerpt:
There was nothing unusual about gunshots in that particular clearing of the jungle. We were surrounded by Indians who hunted with guns that they had bought from the white man. And there were white people also in that clearing who hunted as well. So we often heard gunshots.
But these particular gunshots were followed by yelling and screaming and horses galloping and people running and general pandemonium. So I rushed outside to hear that my friend, Macadao, had just been murdered.
I was faced, for the first time in my personal experience, with that awful why. Like Job, I didn’t doubt for a second that God was up there, that God knew what He was doing. But I couldn’t imagine what He could possibly have in mind. And God’s answer to my why was “Trust Me.” No explanations. Just, trust Me. That was the message.
Now if I had had a faith that was determined God had to give me a particular kind of answer to my particular prayers, that faith would have disintegrated. But my faith had to be founded on the character of God Himself. And so, what looked like a contradiction in terms: God loves me; God lets this awful thing happen to me. What looked like a contradiction in terms, I had to leave in God’s hands and say okay, Lord. I don’t understand it. I don’t like it. But I only had two choices. He is either God or He’s not. I am either held in the Everlasting Arms or I’m at the mercy of chance and I have to trust Him or deny Him. Is there any middle ground? I don’t think so.
I thought of Daniel in the lion’s den. I remember the picture that we had on our wall at home, a painting. When I was a child I often gazed at that painting. And Daniel is standing in the den of lions. There’s a light on his face and he stands very tall and straight with his hands behind his back. And just very faintly in the dark you can see these glowing eyes of the hungry lions.
And I realized that the painting is telling me that here’s a man whose faith rests in the character of God. Now of course, I wouldn’t have put it in those terms as a child. But that picture spoke volumes to me. God was there in the pit. He was not making it unnecessary for Daniel to go into the pit anymore than it was unnecessary for Joseph to go into that pit where his jealous brothers threw him or to be put into prison, as were Paul and Silas and Peter and many other people in Scripture, even John the Baptist who got his head chopped off.
It was necessary for Shadrach and Meshach and Abednego to go into the fiery furnace because God had a message not just for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego but also, you remember, for the king. He said “has your God, whom you serve, been able to deliver you?” And you remember his challenge before he threw them into the furnace, “Who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” (Dan. 3:15 kjv). And, then come those ringing words of faith, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (Dan. 3:17–18 kjv).
But if not . . .And that is the lesson that has to come to all of us in some point in our lives. Every one of us, I’m sure, sooner or later, has to face up to that painful question. Why? And God is saying, trust Me. If your prayers don’t get answered the way you thought they were supposed to be, what happens to your faith? The world says God doesn’t love you. The Scriptures tell me something very different. God comes to you and me in our sorrow. And He says, “Trust Me.” “Walk with Me. -E.E.
Friends, do you remember the Saturday Night Live Skit, “Daily Affirmations with Stuart Smalley?” 📺 Airing in February of 1991, Al Franken’s character would calmly sit in front of a mirror, put on an optimistic grin, and declare bold words of encouragement to his reflection:
The crowd would erupt with laughter… even my friends and I thought it was hilarious! But you know, it isn’t too far removed from what most of us do…each and every day. So very often, we open our sleepy eyes in the morning and are struck by a wave of hopeful outcomes: “Today I will be a thoughtful wife, a patient mom, an attentive friend, an exceptional co-worker…” The list goes on and on. We white-knuckle our caffeinated beverages, locate the perfect song for encouragement, check-in on social media once again, and then visit the mirror for one… last… look. (Sigh) “Am I enough?” Ya’ll, I’ve lived this way…and it is utterly exhausting. Can you relate as well? There have been days when I would open my driver’s side door, set my feet on the ground, and exhale a weary sigh from deep-down in my soul (Ps 63:1). Looking through those “me-centric” glasses 👓 only leaves me discouraged and depleted.
“Fear arises when we imagine that everything depends on us.” – Elisabeth Elliot
Friends, it truly is Grace alone that turns our focus upward. The voice that says, “Come to Me” (Matthew 11:28-29) faithfully reminds that only He is able to carry the yoke of being “Enough.” The love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control Jesus provides is abuncdantly sufficient beyond what we could both “ask or imagine,”… both in us and through us…for every circumstance. And by God’s design, it’s with our brothers and sisters in Christ where we lovingly…with loads of prayer, tears, and encouragement…point one another back to the Vine. Dietrich Bonhoeffer defined community in this way: “Christianity means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ. No Christian community is more or less than this.” Sisters, in order to love well, we need the Author of Love. To locate needed rest- we need Peace, Himself. (Ephesians 2:14) To glean wisdom, we readily set our minds on things above; and to find strength, we depend upon the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-11). Simply stated, we need Jesus.
My Grace is sufficient for you.-2 Corinthians 12:9
In prayer we can leave every ounce of self-reliance in His Hands. We can wholeheartedly trust that Jesus will be abundantly sufficient in and through every need, every sorrow, and every hardship. Oswald Chambers once said in his devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, “Complete weakness and dependence will always be the occasion for the Spirit of God to manifest His power.” The comfort Jesus gives will strengthen and encourage your souls in ways that nothing else can. “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”(Psalm 73:26) For it’s not self-confidence that will save, but confidence in Christ alone. ♥️ Go to Jesus in Prayer…Lean into His rest…And trust His heart in all that comes. (Matthew 11:28-29; James 1:22; Proverbs 3:5-7). In His Strength, and for His Glory.
How much of your lfe is defined by what Jesus said and how much is defined by culture?
Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 God has shown me amazing and wonderful things. People should not think more of me because of it. So I wouldn’t become proud of myself, I was given a problem. This problem caused pain in my body. It is a messenger from Satan to make me suffer. Three times I begged the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So I am very happy to brag about how weak I am. Then Christ’s power can rest on me. Because of how I suffered for Christ, I’m glad that I am weak. I am glad in hard times. I am glad when people say mean things about me. I am glad when things are difficult. And I am glad when people make me suffer. When I am weak, I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,…”
Proverbs 3:26 “for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.”
Psalm 16:5 “The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; You hold my lot.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-6 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.”
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.
1 Peter 5:9-10 “Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 16:1-2,9 “Preserve me, O God, for in you I itake refuge. I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from You…You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Job 13:15 Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him; I will surely defend my ways to His face.
Daniel 3:17-18 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
1 John 2:16-17 For everything that is in the world—the desire for fleshly gratification, the desire for possessions, and worldly arrogance—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world and its desires are fading away, but the person who does God’s will remains forever.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet like the deer’s; He makes me tread on my high places.
Extra Quotes and videos
“The heart of genuine worship is the working out in every aspect of our lives the confession ‘Jesus is Lord.’”—D.A. Carson
Feature photo: Harriet Tubman mural in Maryland by Michael Rosato
A woman of authentic faith, not to mention unfathomable perseverance, Harriet Tubman repeatedly sacrificed her own comfort and safety for the benefit of others. (Phil 2:3) Her passionate exhortation to “keep going” gives us treasurable insight into her unwavering focus upon freedom. And although spoken over a century ago, Harriet’s words continue to echo wisdom for today…
Friends, what is chasing you?
Fear of the unknown? Fear of losing control? A health diagnosis? Concerns about finances? Words of unforgiveness swirling in your heart? Doubts regarding God’s faithfulness? Self-condemning thoughts and attitudes?
And, to whom or what are you running?
No matter what is lurking and looming around us, we desperately need to keep our minds on Jesus, (Col 3:2; Matthew 11:28) not on our emotions. Don’t grant them the power to shepherd. If Harriet would have allowed her emotions to guide, her successful journey from Maryland to Philadelphia in 1849 may not have happened! Not only did she travel back and forth approximately 14 additional times…saving more than 70 lives in the process, but Harriet also co-led troops in the Combahee Ferry Raid of 1863. Rescuing 700 people from the bonds of slavery! The first woman to command a regiment of men in the United States military!
Twasn’t me, ’twas the Lord! I always told Him, ‘I trust to you. I don’t know where to go or what to do, but I expect You to lead me,’ an’ He always did. – Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman’s confidence in God’s Goodness and Faithfulness helped her navigate through times of immense hardship, pain, and danger. She didn’t waver because she leaned into her savior’s heart via prayer and community (The Underground Railroad)…She knew His Strength would carry her through. Friends, let’s take “General Tubman’s” heartfelt council and keep going. Keep following God’s lead. Keep growing in community. His Wisdom, Love, and Strength is more than sufficient for every need you have today…and always! (John 15:5; Phil 4:13,19).
Love, Mer
PS – Wisdom, Love, and Strength are all capitalized in the final paragraph as Jesus is the wisdom, love, and strength of God in and through us. Jesus is our greatest gift…and He is Faithful to keep leading. (Matthew 11:28)
Extras:
A 5-minute video made by our daughter, Norah, about one of her favorite women… none other than Harriet Tubman.
📙My Utmost for His Highest – February 18 “Taking the Initiative Against Despair” https://utmost.org
Charles H. Spurgeon – “My faith rests not in what I am, or shall be, or feel, or know, but in what Christ is, in what He has done, and in what He is doing for me.”
Crossroad-moments. We can confidently expect them to be woven into the fabric of our lives…whether we are prepared or not. Health crises that unexpectedly arise; the loss of a job you enjoyed; financial obstacles that constantly loom; the heartbreak of fractured relationships, and the parenting inadequacies we all encounter daily. Despite how seemingly insurmountable some may feel, we can look at these occurrences as gifted opportunities to consider the Cross.
The Cross: one column positioned vertically, pointing up towards the sky while anchored into the ground…holding a second beam fixed horizontally, stretching to the east and to the west. Friends, as weighty decisions unfailingly enter our paths, we often find ourselves soberly face-to-face with those wooden beams… posturing our “gaze” in one of three possible ways:
Faith does not eliminate questions. But faith knows where to take them.
Elisabeth Elliot
Horizontally – ↔️ Focus: what is seen. 🔍
Comparison-driven;
Desperately seeking immediate guidance from other broken “vessels” (the world around us);
Redefining our viewpoints against the ever-changing cultural norms;
Readilypursuing the counsel of a fickle heart and it’s “wind-tossed” emotions;
Self-reliant;
Trusting in our own personal reasonings and limited understanding;
Often fixated upon unmet expectations;
Motivated by worry;
Anxious regarding possible outcomes, and
Settles for wishes.
Upwards – ⬆️ Focus: who is Lord (Jesus). 🙏🏼
Devoted to Prayer and reading His Word (the Bible) often;
Seeking His perspective, His lead, His Wisdom, and His Strength;
Invests in Community (Hebrews 10:25)
Gospel-driven; and
Rests (trusting) in His goodness, faithfulness, and sovereignty.
Corrie Ten Boom, after enduring tremendous suffering within a Nazi Concentration Camp, defined crossroad-moments with these words: “If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God you’ll be at rest.” Friends, looking first to Jesus (in prayer) is not putting your head in the proverbial sand…nor is avoiding difficult conversations. Deferring to God and asking for His lead puts our perspective in His Hands…and seeks His wisdom instead. Asking for God’s guidance enables us to respond to conflict and hardship in ways that are best for every person involved. For what seems good and right might not be best. And selfless love seeks the best for others… even if it feels painful for a season. Friends, It’s arrogant to think that we could care more about our loved ones than God does.
Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?
Corrie ten Boom
When we turn our gaze upwards, we can place our complete confidence in God’s sovereignty… trusting that He will faithfully provide what we need, when we need it, and in the best way possible. The love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control He supplies will be a blessing both horizontally: in our homes, work places, church families, and local communities…as well as within our own hearts: providing needed encouragement, perspective, and truth. Gals, as crossroad (crux) moments come your way, take a breath and look up. Place every ounce of self-sufficiency in His hands, and allow Jesus to be enough for all that you will face. He’s got you. 🙏🏼♥️
…But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.
Matthew 6:32-33
His Love through me, Mer
Scripture
Galatians 1:16 “ I did not immediately consult with anyone (flesh);”
Psalm 118:8 “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.”
2 Corinthians 4:18. “as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
Philippians 3:2 “Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.”
Romans 12:10 “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
Philippians 4:6-7 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.“
Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Psalm 73:26 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength[a]of my heart and my portion forever.”
2 Corinthians 3:4-5 “Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God.5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,”
Proverbs 3:5-7 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.”
Acts 17:24-27 “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,”
Galatians 6:9-10 “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
Psalm 16:2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
Galatians 5:16-18 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Colossians 3:2 “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
“These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.” Jude 1:12-13
Ephesians 4:15-16 “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”
Ephesians 4:17-24 “Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Romans 7:18 “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.”
John 15:5 “…apart from Me, you can do nothing.”
Matthew 5:3 ““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Colossians 2:6-7 “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Colossians 3:15 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him“
Ephesians 2:8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—”
James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Philippians 1:6 “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ”
Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”
Psalm 40:1-4 ” I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in Him. 4 Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.”
Psalm 28:7 “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.”
Psalm 121 “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. 6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. 8 The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”
Psalm 100:4 “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.”
1 Chronicles 16:34 “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.”
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”
Psalm 95:2-3 “Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods”
Hebrews 12:28-29 “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’”
1 Timothy 4:4-5 “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.”
Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”
Psalm 46:10 “…be still and know I am God…”
2 Corinthians 4:15-16 ” All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
Matthew 11:28 “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
1 Thessalonians 2:13 “And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.”
2 Timothy 1:7 “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
2 Corinthians 9:11-12 “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.”
Psalm 118:1-18 “1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; his love endures forever. 2 Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.” 3 Let the house of Aaron say: “His love endures forever.” 4 Let those who fear the LORD say: “His love endures forever.” 5 When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD; he brought me into a spacious place. 6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? 7 The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies. 8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans. 9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. 10 All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them down. 11 They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them down. 12 They swarmed around me like bees, but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them down. 13 I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me. 14 The LORD is my strength and my defense ; he has become my salvation. 15 Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things! 16 The LORD’s right hand is lifted high; the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!” 17 I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done. 18 The LORD has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death.”
Ephesians 5:20 “Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,”
psalm 107:8-9 “Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.”
Ephesians 1:16 “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,”
Philippians 1:3 “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,”
2 Thessalonians 1:3 “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.”
Revelation 7:12 “Saying, ‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.’”
Jonah 2:9 “But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to You; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!”
2 Corinthians 2:14 “But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to You; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!”
Hebrews 13:6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
1 Timothy 1:12 “I thank Him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He judged me faithful, appointing me to his service,”
Friends, have you ever been advised to “Follow your heart,” or encouraged with the phrases: “It’s always been in you,” or “You’ve got this!” Most often folks say these phrases as thoughtful exhortations meant to uplift and inspire. However, … should we??
In the Bible, God lovingly teaches us (repeatedly) that trusting our own hearts can be exceedingly harmful…not only for ourselves, but for those placed in our paths as well. (Jeremiah 17:9; Prov 28:6; Matthew 15; Philippians 3) This realization is not for the faint of heart (pun-intended). But according to 1 Thessalonians 5:14…it 100% is! There will be gut-wrenching, God-gifted moments in our lives when we recognize that our hearts are not capable of leading us wisely nor selflessly. We need to see how “faint of heart” we actually are. All the while, ignoring the collective voice of society that unapologetically promotes the way of “looking within” as the answer for all of our needs. Broken people shouting to other shattered folks to fix themselves. “You got this!” “You’re enough.” “Stay strong.” “Think positively!”
But God.
As you read above, we will daily encounter temptations to yield to the calls of the heart… But God knows this. Adam and Eve were given the opportunity to walk with God freely and intimately and yet they readily chose the desires of their own hearts anyway. We are thousands of years removed from the Garden, and yet we continue to make the same foolish mistakes…over and over again. Our ceaseless propensity to make selfish decisions is both altogether distressing and incredibly humbling,… but God remains Faithful. He doesn’t put the heavy weight of “enough” upon our shoulders… We do that to ourselves.Instead, God sent His one and onlySon to be enough FOR us.
“I have a great need for Christ: I have a great Christ for my need.” – CH Spurgeon
The voice that faithfully calls, “Come to Me,” is the very same one that daily invites you to stop striving…and to rest in His presence. Don’t hold your breath and push-through, but allow Jesus to BE yourstrength. (Isaiah 41:20; Philippians 4:13) Jesus wants to carry the burdens that bring you low, and to ease the painful ache of your weary heart. He intends to replace your frequent irritability with genuine compassion. He wants to substitute the grumbling of envy with the beauty ofcontentment. Jesus desires to restore hope in places where worry oftentimes dwelt. Friends, instead of incessantly leaning into the reasonings of our own ferociously fickle hearts, let’s be still, take a breath (pray), and trust His (Col 4:2; Psalm 73:26; Ps 139:23-24; Prov 3:5-7; Matt 11:28-29; Phil 1:6). Joyfully lean into prayer, knowing that Jesus is the only one able to be enough for every situation. Friends, we don’t got this! But rest assured, God does! ♥️ (John 6:29; Gal 6:9)
Much love, Mer
”The most important daily habit we can possess is to remind ourselves of the Gospel.” Spurgeon
Per this resource, a person may be subject to sex trafficking if they:
Appear submissive, fearful, or nervous.
Lack control of identification documents or money.
Have an inconsistent or well-rehearsed story about where they live, the relationship with the person they are with, or how they traveled to the current location.
Dress inappropriately for the weather, their location, or age.
Are in the presence of an overtly controlling or concerned friend or boyfriend/girlfriend.
Possess multiple hotel key cards, prepaid credit cards, or cellphones.
Show signs of physical, mental, or emotional abuse.
Seem unable to come and go as they please.
A person may be subject to labor trafficking if they:
Appear to live at their place of employment.
Are transported in a group by the employer or someone who is part of the employer’s organization.
Experience restricted or monitored movement.
Do not control their identification documents.
Earn wages below the state’s minimum wage.
Are constantly indebted to the employer.
Show signs of physical abuse, isolation, and starvation.
“The Samaritan Women offers these resources to encourage you to use YOUR VOICE to advocate against sexual exploitation. This is a national problem, and it will take each of us doing our part in our own communities to raise awareness and solicit change. We invite you to use these resources as a way to take your next step in learning more about this issue.”
“The Samaritan Women is passionate about educating the community on the realities of sex trafficking, how to protect the vulnerable, and how to engage the Church.”
Help raise awareness by requesting one of our trainings (virtual or in-person) for your church, school, coworkers, or other circle of influence.
The Samaritan Women want to help “Equip Your Church:” Create a culture of safety and transparency by educating your staff and community about sexual abuse and trafficking. Put safeguards in place, teach sermons about abuse, and bring training to your congregation.
A sister-in-Christ who lived advocacy well as was Harriet Tubman. She was someone who experienced more brutality, heartbreak, and injustice than most will ever endure. And yet she lovingly and courageously trusted God… boldly rescuing hundreds from slavery in the mid-1800’s. Of all of the people I will have the honor of meeting in Heaven, she is one I am beyond thrilled to hug. -Mer
Friends, being able to dialogue in-person would be absolutely wonderful…However, since we are miles apart,… please pull-up a comfy chair, grab a hot cup of coffee, and allow me to divulge some current happenings with you.
Well, it certainly has been an adventure: moving 8 times in 6 years…planted in 5 different states with my husband, 3 kiddos, and doggy (“Mocha”). 🗺️ Documenting the journey for family and friends on social media became an encouraging pastime 📷 …a convenient mode of sharing, and a welcomed refreshment for a fatigued momma. The frequent affirmations Instagram and Facebook supplied made locating a new pediatrician, visiting the license branch, and unpacking numerous boxes considerably more enjoyable. The benefits of social media between 2012 and 2020 appeared to be unmistakable.
Wherever you are, be all there! Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.
Jim Elliot
Having said that, after 9 years and approximately 3,000+ posts, it was apparent that my relationship with social media needed to change. Instead of noticing the “good and perfect gifts” (James 1:17) placed in my path each day, I was undeniably distracted. One example to detail this observation was from this past fall (2020)- while on a trail hike with family, I was attempting to share the moment with “fr-amily” on IG. Instead of witnessing the joy on my daughter’s face as she discovered a beautiful butterfly, mine was aglow by the screen of my phone as I watched for likes and comments. Rather than intently listening (with my eyes) to my boys on the trail, I was intermittently gazing at new status updates.📱 And what saddened me the most was the realization that I was contemplating possible posts more than I was praying. Truly… it’s something to soberly consider: How often do we post (or rehearse a post) instead of praying? All things considered, it was clear that I was missing gifted opportunitiesto love and be loved...right in front of me…and it broke my heart.
The best things are nearest: breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of God just before you…certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things of life.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Attempts to put relaxed boundaries on social media only revealed my utter inadequacy to successfully follow-through…and friends were so gracious in the learning process (Thank you!). Therefore, after a couple weeks of genuine prayer, as to counter an impulsive decision, my fam and I confidently walked away from Instagram (with FB utilized only for Homeschooling groups and lessons). This decision was affirmed the next day by Norah-10, and Boaz- 7, as both appeared to comprehend the significance of this commitment… expressing how they felt extra loved and prioritized. I was immensely grateful to hear their input.
Update: We’ve been “offline” for over two months now, and ya’ll- my focus has improved considerably. Not only do I notice the growing giftedness of Boaz as a brother, and enjoying plentiful play times with Ben, but I’m soaking-up cherished time with God, conversations with a rapidly growing daughter, as well as an ever-deepening relationship with my hubs. Do I feel as though I’ll miss-out on the current events of extended family and friends (FOMO)? Well, in all transparency… I was relatively unsettled in the beginning. It saddens me that I may not hear about numerous birth announcements and marriage celebrations… or when friends experience grief and sorrow. Nonetheless, what has comforted my heart in relation to this concern has been a quote by Elisabeth Elliot: “God has promised to supply all our needs. What we don’t have now, we don’t need now.”💡God has faithfully placed others on my mind and heart in the past, so I can absolutely trust that He will continue to do so… and provide the best way to connect. 📞💌 🫖
Set your minds on things that are above… – Colossians 3:2
NorahBoaz BenSteve (Hubs)Playing at my mom’s
Trusting that God will lovingly help me know what I need to know when I need to know it fosters an invaluable focus upon who and what He has right in front of me. Our days on this earth are few, fleeting, and precious. Therefore, it is a fervent hope and prayer to intentionally love my family, friends, neighbors, and community (with God’s supply and guidance) as much as possible. With all of this being said, I’m incredibly grateful to share that instead of “#FOMO,” my heart is refreshed, encouraged, and ready to keep learning. (Matthew 11:28-29)
Be still, and know that I am God
Psalm 46:10
Before you take that last sip and head back to your day, please don’t hesitate to send prayer requests my way … community is important! Thank you for listening…Loved sharing a cup with you!! ☺️
Much Love, Meridith
P.S.
Why coffee? ☕️
Well, it’s something that can be shared.☺️ It’s not meant to be lukewarm nor is it brewed in haste. Such is Love. God’s love is meant to be shared in community. It’s not shaped in isolation, but is nurtured over time via relationships…often through adversity and hardship. We pray together, weep together, learn together, grow together, celebrate together, and seek Peace together. And frequently, these moments happen over a cup of coffee. (Matthew 19:26)
Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,…”
John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in Me (Jesus) you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 15:5 “…For apart from Me you can do nothing.”
Zechariah 9:9-10 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is He, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey…He shall speak peace to the nations; His rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.”
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
1 Thessalonians 3:16 “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”
Isaiah 26:3 “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Romans 12: “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Colossians 3:5 “And let the peace of Christrule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”
1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Hebrews 12:14 “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”
Romans 15:14 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Psalm 4:8 “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Romans 8:6 “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spiritis life and peace.“
1 Peter 3:11 “Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.”
Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”.
Psalm 119:165 “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.”
1 Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,…”
James 3:18 “And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
Psalm 34:14 “Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
Matthew 11:28 “…come to Me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest…”
Matthew 10:34-36 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.”
Proverbs 16:7 “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Psalm 29:11 “May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!”
Romans 14:19 “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”
Isaiah 12:2 “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
2 Corinthians 3:11 “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:9 “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.
Isaiah 54:10 “For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but My steadfast love shall not depart from you, and My covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”
1 Peter 3:9-11 “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.”
James 3:17 “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”
Isaiah 53:5 “But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed.
Psalm 85:8 “Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people, to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly.”
Jude 1:2 “May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.”
Ephesians 1:2-3 “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, …”
Ephesians 4:3 “Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
Isaiah 55:12 “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Isaiah 32:17 “And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.”
Palm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Romans 12:17-21 “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”
Romans 14:7 “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
1 Thessalonians 5:23 “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 15:33 “May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”
1 Peter 3:10-11 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Psalm 46:10 “Be stil,l and know that I am God.”
1 Thessalonians 5:15 “See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.”
John 14:1-31 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
2 Timothy 2:22 “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”
Romans 16:20 “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”
Leviticus 26:6 “I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid. And I will remove harmful beasts from the land, and the sword shall not go through your land.”
Mark 9:50 “Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
Proverbs 20:3 “It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.”
Hebrews 12:11 “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
Isaiah 54:13 “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.”
Proverbs 17:1 “Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.”
James 2:14-24 “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
Proverbs 16:32 “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
Matthew 6:25-34 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
1 Peter 1:2 “According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.”
Colossians 3:13 “Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
2 Timothy 1:7 “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
Malachi 2:5 “My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him. It was a covenant of fear, and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name.”
Colossians 3:1-25 “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry…”
1 Timothy 2:1-2 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”
Proverbs 3:13-18 “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace…”
Psalm 73:26 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Ephesians 2:14 “For He Himself is our peace, Who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility…”
John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.”
Matthew 6:34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Ecclesiastes 3:8 “A time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.”
Psalm 85:10 “Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.”
Colossians 1:13-14 “For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Colossians 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Matthew 6:14-16 “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Ephesians 4:31-32 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Luke 23:34 “Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,…”
Romans 5:8 “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Proverbs 18:17 “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.”
James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Psalm 32:5 “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.”
Proverbs 28:13 “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
Ephesians 4:26-32 “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
James 1:20 “for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
Luke 6:37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (-Jesus)
Proverbs 17:9 “Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”
Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Luke 17:3-4 So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. 4 Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Isaiah 43:25-26 “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for My own sake, and remembers your sins no more. Review the past for Me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence.”
Acts 3:19 “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,”
Daniel 9:9 “The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him;…”
Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace”
Hebrews 10:17 “Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”
Psalm 103:12 “…as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
Micah 7:18-19 “Who is a God like You, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.”
Matthew 6:9-15 “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Mark 11:25 “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Matthew 26:28 “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Acts 2:38 “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
What is Apologetics? Apologetics is essentially encapsulated in verse 1 Peter 3:15, “always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…” The word “defend” in the Greek is “apologia.” This isn’t a fleshly defensiveness but instead a loving and respectful sharing of the reason for our hope in Jesus. So, why compile all of these videos, links, and audiobooks? Friends, it’s my genuine prayer that these resources (links embedded) point whomever sees them to Jesus, encourages hearts to pray (Col 4:2), and fosters a deepening thirst for His Word (Bible: Col 3:16). This page is to be a resource for anyone wanting to walk-out 1 Peter 3:15 in dependency upon God. Videos found here might also be seen via the Gal220Life YouTube channel as well. For an expanded explanation, please see the bottom of the page. Love, Mer
Please read 1 Corinthians 15 as it contains a creed spoken by Paul and other believers within 5 years of Jesus’ Resurrection. Jesus’ fulfillment of Old Testament Scripture was a focal point of Paul’s letter to Corinthian believers. Paul was martyred sometime around AD 64, nearly 30 years after Jesus’ Resurrection.
Catalogued by Gary Habermas from Biola University, the following 12 historical facts are agreed upon by some of the most skeptical critics:
Jesus was crucified. Verified as dead (stabbed in the heart)
Jesus was buried
Jesus’ death caused his disciples to despair and lose hope, believing His life had ended
Jesus’ tomb was found to be empty just a few days later
Disciples had experiences they actually believed to be literal appearances of the risen Jesus (basis of book Jesus’ Resurrection, debate by Wm Lane Craig and Gert Ludemann, who held the Hallucination Theory)
Disciples were transformed from doubters afraid to identify with Jesus to bold proclaimers of His death and resurrection
This message was central to the preaching of the early church (Acts 7; 1 Corinthians 15)
It was especially proclaimed in Jerusalem, where Jesus died and was buried only a short time before
As a result of the preaching, the church was born and grew
Sunday became the primary day of worship, especially powerful considering that early believers were all Jewish
James, Jesus’ 1/2 brother and formerly a skeptic, was converted to faith when he also saw what he believed to be the resurrected Jesus
A few years later, Paul likewise was converted by what he believed to be an appearance of the resurrected Jesus
2 minutes with Lee Strobel
26 minutes with Dr. David Wood
46 minutes with Dr Gary Habermas, Dr. Darrell Bock, and Dr. Mikel Del Rosario
Important: Be careful not to replace the Bible with devotionals (or any other book). Devos are merely shared as study materials, meant to prepare our hearts for what we need most: God’s Word. As C.H. Spurgeon once wisely encouraged, “Visit many good books, but live in the Bible.” God’s Word is sufficient.
Sisters, if Peter (an Apostle of Jesus) can be tempted to combine “old” practices with the Gospel of Jesus…so can we. God’s faithfulness in and through Paul lovingly confronted Peter, and Peter responded humbly. Paul didn’t stand from afar and criticize, as many of us do via social media, but he prayerfully approached his brother with loving encouragement to keep his eyes on the True Gospel. As Oswald Chambers eloquently stated, “God never gives us discernment so that we may criticize, but that we may intercede.” Please read Galatians 2 for more about this historical example of loving correction. Friends, let’s be devoted to prayer (Col 4:2), testing what we hear by getting into His Word often (1 John 4), as well as diving into Gospel-focused community (Hebrews 10:25). With God’s help, we will be ready to both receive and provide Biblical encouragement. 🙏🏼Mer
Acts17Apologetics – David Wood provides apologetics predominantly focused upon Christianity and Islam.
Alisa Childers Apologetics – “Whether you’re a seeker, a doubting Christian, or strong Christian wanting to become better at articulating your faith, I (Alisa) pray that this website will be a lifeboat for you. So jump in and let’s tackle the tough questions together.”
All the Things – The hosts embrace historic Christianity, reflecting the major streams of Christianity: apostolic, evangelical, and Spirit-filled. We platform Christians diverse backgrounds who are unified by the common desire to engage in conversations to promote unity in the Body of Christ. We desire to show the existence and character of God, not only with our lips but in our lives.
Answers in Genesis – AiG is an apologetics ministry, dedicated to helping Christians defend their faith and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ effectively.
Apologia Studios – Welcome to Apologia Studios! Our mission is to get the Gospel into all areas of culture. From theology to politics. We discuss everything from modern culture, to mormonism and the cults and do it all in a reformed and relevant way.
Apologetics.com – Provides compelling and persuasive answers to the most challenging objections to Christian faith today in a manner that is most effective with inquirers and most glorifying to God. It is our vision to engage the church, the wider public, and the academy.
Apologetics Guy, with Mikel Del Rosario – Helping you to explain your faith with courage and compassion. Mikel is a Christian apologetics professor at William Jessup University and is also a podcaster at Dallas Theological Seminary.
Becket Cook’s YouTube – Becket spends much of his time in ministry speaking at churches, universities, and conferences helping believers (and non-believers) understand this issue biblically, theologically, culturally, and personally. Balancing grace and truth when teaching on this subject is of primary importance. His goal is to challenge the current cultural narrative about sexuality in general and homosexuality in particular by demonstrating through his personal testimony and biblical truths that, yes, homosexuality is still a sin, and that following Christ is infinitely more satisfying and joyous.
Christian Answers for the New Age CANA – Headed-up by Marcia Montenegro, CANA provides up-to-date information regarding the New Age and how it compares to Christianity.
Cross Examined – Frank Turek’s Apologetics – CrossExamined.org exists to address the problem that 3-out-of-4 Christian youth leave the church while in college, many because they are intellectually skeptical.
Cultish (Apologia Studios) – “Cultish: The Aftermath” is a new after-show that gives a raw and up-close look into the world of the Cults & so much more. Jeremiah & Andrew put in hours of research into each series and this is an opportunity to get their immediate after thoughts. If you like Cultish your gonna love The Aftermath!
GotQuestions.org – “Got Questions Ministries seeks to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by providing biblical, applicable, and timely answers to spiritually related questions through an internet presence.
Greg Koukl’s Stands To Reason – Stand to Reason trains Christians to think more clearly about their faith and to make an even-handed, incisive, yet gracious defense for classical Christianity and classical Christian values in the public square.
Isaiah 53 Project – “One For Israel” was established in 1990 as a Bible college and has since expanded to a multi-faceted ministry with the express goal of reaching Israelis with the Good News of Yeshua, training and equipping the Body of Messiah in Israel, and blessing our community with Yeshua’s love.
Impact 360 – Located in Pine Mountain, Georgia, Impact 360 Institute has been cultivating leaders who follow Jesus since 2006. Through biblical worldview education, community-based discipleship, leadership coaching, vocational mentoring, and missional opportunities, students are equipped to live as change-agents in the world. Impact 360 Institute serves High School graduates through their 9-month Impact 360 Fellows experience, teenagers for one and two weeks through Impact 360 Immersion and Propel, and young professionals pursuing a graduate degree through Impact 360 Masters.
Jana Harmon and Ex-Skeptic – The Side B Podcast is a story-driven, conversational podcast that helps listeners understand why people dismiss or believe in God and Christianity.
John Lennox – Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University and internationally renowned speaker on the interface of science, philosophy, and religion, leads us in a journey through the whole wondrous story of Scripture.
Jon McCray’s Whaddo You Meme – If you enjoy talking about Christianity, Christian Apologetics, current cultural issues, religion, politics, laughing, and stuff like that, we’ve got you covered! This page is dedicated to responding to anti-Christian memes, videos, breezy slogans, and Christian views on cultural issues from a thoughtful Christian perspective.
Living Waters (Ray Comfort) – Living Waters seeks to train the members of Christ’s Body in the principles of biblical evangelism and to provide them with practical tools to proclaim the gospel.
Mama Bear Apologetics – Hillary Ferrer and the Mama Bear (MBA) team provide apologetics for parents navigating this post-postmodern time.
Melissa Dougherty Apologetics – A Christian Artist andApologist best known for her YouTube channel as an ex new ager. Her video comparing a “typical” modern-day Christian woman to an early church Christian woman is both powerful and convicting…not to mention, heartbreaking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zrve6NMWxk
Michael J. Kruger – Dr. Michael J. Kruger serves as the President and Samuel C. Patterson Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the Charlotte campus of Reformed Theological Seminary. His research interests include: Development of the NT Canon; particularly fourfold gospel collection; Gospels, General/Catholic Epistles; Christian origins; development of early Christianity in the second century; Apocryphal gospels and the transmission of Jesus tradition, and Palaeography, codicology, ancient manuscripts.
Midwest Christian Outreach – Speakers from Midwest Christian Outreach, Inc. (MCOI) can speak in your local churches, conferences and special events. Our topics: the Christian worldview, un-Biblical beliefs, cults, false religions and more.
Natasha Crain – Natasha is a national speaker, author of four books, blogger, and podcaster whose passion is to help Christians think more clearly about holding to a biblical worldview in the midst of an increasingly challenging secular culture.
One Minute Apologist – Bobby Conway offers us credible answers to life’s most curious questions, as I address everyday issues and how they relate to Scripture.
Parr, Allen – “The Beat” – Christian apologist, author, speaker, YouTube content creator, and bible teacher. Highly recommend his work!
Reasons For Jesus – Started by Steven Bancarz, Reasons for Jesus is an apologetics-based website dedicated to providing justification for a Biblical worldview and a rational defense for faith in Jesus Christ.
Reasons.org – We make every effort to help people discover that sound reason and scientific research consistently affirm the truth of the Bible and of the Good News it reveals.
Red Pen Logic w/ Mr. B – A wealth of apologetics videos. Red Pen Logic began out of Stand To Reason Ministries.
Remnant Radio – educates believers in biblical theology and a Christian worldview.
Stand to Reason University– STR U is an online training program designed to produce a particular kind of person: an effective ambassador for Christ. Using short, interactive, and engaging courses, STR U equips Christians to make an even-handed, yet gracious defense for Christianity and Christian values in the public square.
Stands To Reason – Stand to Reason trains Christians to think more clearly about their faith and to make an even-handed, incisive, yet gracious defense for classical Christianity and classical Christian values in the public square.
The Apologetics Guy, with Mikel Del Rosario – Helping you to explain your faith with courage and compassion. Mikel is a Christian apologetics professor at William Jessup University and is also a podcaster at Dallas Theological Seminary.
Wesley Huff Apologetics – “Making the evidence for Christianity more well known to more people than ever before.“
Women in Apologetics – Women in Apologetics (WIA) is a Christian non-profit organization whose sole focus is to equip, encourage, and educate women in Christian apologetics. We have a passion for encouraging and equipping other women in the church who are interested in learning how to think more deeply and intelligently about their faith. Here at Women in Apologetics, we strive to live into Luke 10:27, which is why it’s our featured verse: He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” (NRSV)
The philosophy of Pragmatism originated around the turn of the 19th century here in America with Charles Sanders Peirce, William James, and John Dewey. Per Merriam-Webster, Pragmatism is a doctrine that promotes the search for meaning “in their practical bearings, that the function of thought is to guide action, and that truth is preeminently to be tested by the practical consequences of belief.” The basic premise suggested is that something is “True” if it is observed to work.
Pragmatism, at the heart of it all, has always been a struggle for humanity. The battle cry of “whatever works is true” is something in which our sin nature finds comfort- “How could this be wrong if it is helping me?” And then we process “helpful” as “good.” Our emotions lead and our feet follow. In these post-postmodern times, both the admonition to “You do you,” and the attitude that “anything goes” are promoted with fervency! This soil of self only amplifies the growth of pragmatism. And with doing “whatever works” often comes a compromise of spiritual syncretism. But when it comes to Truth, we know it is not an emotion nor an experience…but a Person. (John 14:6) A quote that hits to the heart of spiritual pragmatism is this one by Dr. Michael Rydelnik:
“Faith in Christ is not true because it works, rather faith in Christ works because it’s True.“
Friends, most of us were born into Postmodernism… a heart-centric, individualistic time when movies reign, and linear dialogue is seemingly rare. With this in view, it is genuinely crucial that we slow down and think logically about what we are reading and hearing…or rather (mostly) seeing and feeling. For example, when someone refers to the “differences” between the Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, do not worry. “Differences” do not signify “inaccuracy.” The differences cited often are related to the intended audience of a Gospel as well as to the personality of the writer. For example, Mark was writing to Jewish readers and John to a Greek audience. The Jewish day began at 6am, and the Greek day began just after midnight. Each sited events accordingly. John wrote more chronologically, but Mark wrote thematically. The styles were unique, but the message was the same. The events pointed to the Gospel of Jesus…Christ and Him Crucified. God is so intentional in His design… He is sovereign over every detail. For this reason (by God’s doing), we have excellent evidence to sustain the idea of Scriptural inerrancy. Please research and be encouraged by His care and faithfulness.
(5/1/2021) We need Jesus… We need to be praying loads and reading The Bible often. (Col 4:2) Friends, it’s incredibly important to remember that Satan (“the Father of Lies”) is well-versed regarding scripture. One profound example out of the pages of Biblical history was when Jesus went into the desert for 40 days. Satan approaches Jesus there and arrogantly questions Jesus’s identity as God’s own Son (mind-blowing). He then quoted scripture to Jesus in ways that would benefit Satan’s own agenda… But Jesus endured without sin. Succeeding where Adam and Eve had failed. (Matthew 4)
Friends, Satan does the same today- he takes what is true and twists it, adds to it, or promotes doubt re: God’s character. Possibly the most salient scheme he promulgates is placing the focus upon ourselves (the “self”) instead of upon God. But despite his continuing efforts to alter our understanding of Truth, He can’t change Truth. We need to test the spirits (1 John 4:1), pray without ceasing (1 Thes 5:16-18), read His Words daily (Col 3:16; Hebrews 4:12), and get into Gospel-focusecommunity (Romans 12; Galatians 6). As stated above, it’s my genuine prayer that these resources point whomever sees them to Jesus… We can (and should) trust Him with every detail. ♥️🙏🏼
Hold Fast Apologetics 