It’s important to recognize that fears about the future often stem from uncertainties we build up in our own thoughts. By continuously asking ourselves “what if?” and imagining negative outcomes, we can unintentionally allow anxiety to take root. However, when we focus on God’s promises and remember that His perfect love is present with us, we find reassurance and strength. Surrendering our worries to Jesus enables us to experience peace, knowing that His love casts out all fear and empowers us to face whatever lies ahead with confidence and hope.
“We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.” 2 Corinthians 4:18
“As we focus our minds and hearts on Jesus, we find Him shaping us, including how we pray. He enable us to give the gift of true intercession to friends, family members, and even strangers” Amy Boucher Pye in A Hidden Ministry, Jan. 10th, Bless the Lord, O My Soul. Our Daily Bread
What’s Your Focus?
When eternity is our primary focus, we are more able to recognize the temporary nature of our troubles. Paul called these “light and momentary: compared to the greater weight of eternal gain and glory they are working for us. 2 Corinthians 4:27i. That’s not just another wild claim. It’s a promise of God’s Word, guaranteed by His power. This we can believe!Joanie Yoder Our Daily Bread. Standing On The Promises. Jan 8,
Suffering in our future
Suffering is a difficult reality that often challenges our understanding, especially when it touches the lives of those who seek to do good. The Bible acknowledges that even the righteous will face trials and hardships, reminding us that suffering is not necessarily a reflection of one’s faith or goodness. Instead, these experiences can serve to deepen our dependence on God, refine our character, and draw us closer to Him. Paul wrote, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17). In God’s eternal perspective, suffering is temporary and purposeful, producing perseverance and hope within us.
Moreover, Jesus Himself, the only truly good person, endured suffering and the cross for our sake. His willingness to suffer demonstrates that pain is not always the result of personal failure or divine displeasure but can be part of God’s redemptive work in the world. Through suffering, we are sometimes given the opportunity to comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have received from God, becoming instruments of His love and compassion. Ultimately, while we may not always understand the reasons behind suffering, we are assured of God’s presence and His promise to work all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
Word’s of Jesus
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10
Jesus is the ultimate expression of God’s restorative love, giving peace and rest to any who turn to Him. from the manger to the cross to the empty tomb, He’s the personification of God’s desire to call a wayward world to Himself. Read the Bible cover to cover and you’ll count the ways” of God’s love over and over; but eternal as they are, you’ll never come to their end.James Banks. Our Daily Bread. January 2014. Jan. 9th Devotion
Jesus, Worthy of Our Praise
"For in Christ all things were created." Colossians 1:16
In a sacrilegious society marked by ingratitude, little recognition is given to Jesus as the One who sustains “all things by his powerful word” (Hebrews 1:3). We who are saved by His sacrifice for us, though, realize His greatness. Let’s praise Him. He is worthy!
“The humble Carpenter of Nazareth was also the mighty Architect of the universe.”Paul Van Gorder. Bless the Lord O My Soul. Our Daily Bread. Jan 9th.
“Father, order my steps, guide my way and direct me to Your appointments and Your opportunities for this day. Make my way a prepared way; make my words wise words, make my responses loving responses. I ask that You would open the doors that need to be opened.
May those I speak to have open hearts to receive the words that Your Holy Spirit gives me to say. May they be timely words, spoken in due season, to meet the needs of those who hear I pray for opportunities that will allow me to speak Your truth, Your light, and Your wisdom with clarity and unction.
Give me favor where favor is needed grace where grace is needed, and boldness where boldness is needed to declare Your great love to needy hearts.”
From His Footsteps, My Pathway, by Roy Lessin. A one minute devotion on September 10. A Prayer for Opportunity. “Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word.” Colossians 4:3 NKIV
Randy Alcorn states: “He makes it clear that our vision is faulty. We need His help to see our life through different eyes—eyes focused on the eternal. Physical vision is used here as a metaphor for spiritual vision, or perspective—the way we look at life.”
Randy further states, “As believers in Christ, our theology gives us perspective. It tells us that this life is the preface—not the book. It’s the preliminaries—not the main event. It’s the tune-up—not the concert.”
