Isaiah 11:6-9 NLT – {6} In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard and the goat will be at peace. Calves and yearlings will be safe among lions, and a little child will lead them all. {7} The cattle will graze among bears. Cubs and calves will lie down together. And lions will eat grass as the livestock do. {8} Babies will crawl safely among poisonous snakes. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes and pull it out unharmed. {9} Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain. And as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the LORD.

Sometimes we become so consumed with life here on earth we forget what has been promised to us in eternity.  We forget that this world is just a place to pass through and is not a place put our roots down for eternity.  Heaven will be a place unlike anything that we have ever experienced.  It will be a place filled with peace – everywhere.  I know it’s hard to fathom – but it is true.  We will no longer have war and destruction.  Children will be able to play and not be harmed.  You will trust your neighbor and your neighbor will trust you.  Heaven will be filled with like-minded people who know God and are committed to following Him.  Heaven is real and it has been prepared for each of us who know and love Christ.  So… next time life seems a little harsh or hard – think about this – Heaven awaits you.  God has prepared a place for you and I that will outshine anything that you’ve accumulated here on earth.

Micah 7:7-8 NLT – [7] As for me, I look to the LORD for his help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. [8] Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD himself will be my light.

I am a walking miracle.  I am a person who has been given a second chance to move forward and do the things that God has asked me to do.  At one time – life’s circumstances brought me to my knees in great despair.  I was depressed and at the end of my ability to do anything about it.  I was experiencing a darkness greater then I had ever known.  I didn’t know where to turn and who to trust.  But praise God for the help that comes from God in the midst of the difficulty!  Praise God for the light that shines in the midst of our darkest nights.  God came through and has restored me.  He has healed me and delivered me.  He allowed me to have that second chance.  I will forever be thankful and full of praise.  God is good – all the time!

Hsa 14:9 NLT – [9] Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those who are discerning listen carefully. The paths of the LORD are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But sinners stumble and fall along the way.

We are given choices in our lives as to how we will live out and walk in the ways of the Lord.  Everyday we make decisions that affect our lives physically and spiritually.  As a Christian the path is very simple – to follow God in all our ways and to be obedient to Him in all aspects of life.  Hosea pleads with us to be “discerning” and to “listen” in regards to this warning.  He encourages us that the only right path is the path of the Lord and those who don’t follow it – will stumble along the way.  The older I get the deeper my walk with God is becoming.  Nothing matters except my bringing pleasure to God and walking in His ways.  I choose to follow Him and I choose to walk in what is true and right – the paths of the Lord.

[26] My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. [27] But those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. [28] But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. – Psa 73:26-28 NLT

I often think about the “core” of a person’s life and what is underneath the layers and layers of façade that people build their lives around.  It isn’t until you are stripped of those layers that you begin to find out about who you are and what it is that you really believe.  In David’s case – his health was failing and his spirit was growing very weak and he definitely was not sporting his “A” game because of the adverse circumstances that was experiencing.   But deep within David was this knowledge that God was in charge and that His sovereignty would prevail.  Perhaps he couldn’t see it or even sense God’s presence but he acted upon what he knew in his heart.  It is not different for any of us today as life throws its ups and downs at us.  We are not moved by circumstances and situations but we are moved by the fact that down in the depths of our  hearts – we know there is a God and we know that He is ultimately in charge of all the affairs within my life.  Like David – we should press in and tell everyone about the wonderful things that God does.

Hosea 6:1-3 (NLT) ^6:1 “Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds. ² In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence. ³ Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.”

This passage touched my heart this morning as it shows the reason that God allows us to go through trials and difficulties – that we may live in His presence.  I have done a lot of reflecting over the past few years about the dark season that I went through.  I know that God could have just said the word and I would have been out of the depression and oppression – but He didn’t.  He wanted something else – that I might come to live and walk in His presence – that I would have an understanding of who He is in my life and what He means to me.  I am a better person for having gone through those experiences and I have a great empathy for others who are experiencing depression of any kind in their lives.  I have come to know God in a deeper way and have come to trust Him like I never have before.  My life and future is in His hands and I rest upon all His promises to me today.

Hebrews 2:18 (GW) Because Jesus experienced temptation when he suffered, he is able to help others when they are tempted.

What a great promise.  This is the hope that we carry in our hearts – we don’t have to face the battle alone – Jesus has been through what we’ve been through and He is here for us now.  Wow!  I am not alone.  He promises to go “through the valley” with us.  He has faced every temptation that we face and has come out victorious.  This should give each of us hope today.  We are SO blessed to have him in our hearts and in our lives.  Victory is ours today!

Isa 1:19-20 NLT - [19] If you will only obey me and let me help you, then you will have plenty to eat. [20] But if you keep turning away and refusing to listen, you will be destroyed by your enemies. I, the LORD, have spoken!”

I’ve been around for awhile now and have seen just about everything there is to see.  I have seen those who have walked with the Lord for a lifetime and I have seen those who come in for that quick fix and seem to never get on top of it.  This principle that Isaiah is bringing forth is so true – obedience to God and His ways brings God’s blessings and abundance in our lives.  It breaks my heart to see young people (or any person) throw their life away for some temporary pleasure that comes their way.  It grieves my heart to see people walk in their sinful ways.  The results might not be immediate but they will come sooner or later.  Whether it be a blatant sin or a subtle sin – it will always come to fruition down the road.  On the other hand – those who allow God to bless their lives and walk in obedience become people who receive the blessings of the Lord.  I enjoy the blessings so much more than the alternative.  Obey.  Obey. Obey.  It is God’s way.  It is the road to much blessing from the Lord in each and every life.

Psa 86:11-13 NLT – [11] Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, that I may honor you. [12] With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever, [13] for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death !

I’m in a very interesting but good place right now whereas God really has my attention.  I feel like a new Christian who is soaking everything about God in like a sponge.  I want to hear from God and what He is saying.  I want to go deeper with Him.  I feel as if some shackles have been removed from my eyes and God is doing a new thing inside of me.  This prayer from the heart of David comes to God with that type of hunger as he wants to be taught from God and wants to live for God in an honoring way.  Everyone has their journey and everyone has their testimony.  Like David, I know that I have been rescued from the depths of death.  God has delivered me and is continuing to deliver me.  He has given me a new lease on life and is helping me to see things like I’ve never seen them before.  I am so blessed and in so much awe this morning.  I am so thankful for God’s goodness and mercy in my life.

Psalm 86:1-7 (NLT) ^86:1 Bend down, O LORD, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. ² Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God. ³ Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly. ⁴ Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you. ⁵ O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. ⁶ Listen closely to my prayer, O LORD; hear my urgent cry. ⁷ I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you will answer me.

I love the closeness that we can have with God and how easily He is to connect too.  David’s prayer is the prayer that I pray often over my life also… save me, answer me, I need your help, etc.  Some people pray in the morning and never talk to God the rest of the day.  I talk to Him all day long – before meals, important decisions, for guidance and strength, when I’m down and even when I’m up.  He is so much a part of my thinking.  I am so blessed to have God in my life and I love walking with Him on a day by day basis.  I feel like David “I am calling on you constantly.”  God is good to everyone and He never fails us.  He is filled with unfailing love for those who come to Him.  I am a blessed man today!

2 Timothy 4:1-2 (NLT) ^4:1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus…² Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

2 Timothy 4:5 (NLT) But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NLT) ^4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. ⁸ And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

There are certain challenges and responsibilities that are given to leaders within this passage – especially to pastors.  Every Christian wages a battle every day.  We can never let down our guard or compromise – ever.  There will be days filled with God’s glory in our lives and then there will be days that we feel like you are in a battle zone.  We must maintain a sense of alertness and preparedness 24/7.  Ministry is always to be at the front of our lives – even when it is not so popular with others.  We are running a race.  We must keep our eyes on the goal and not be pulled by other things along the way.  God is waiting for us at the finish line with a prize that will be worth the race and the difficulties.  We must run in such a way to finish well.