The Lord Is My Light

“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.”

Psalm 27:1

“Fear is a dark shadow that envelopes us within ourselves.  Everyone has been a prisoner of fear at one time or another - fear of rejection, misunderstanding, uncertainty, sickness or even death.  But we can conquer fear by trusting in the Lord who brings salvation.  If we want to dispel the darkness of fear, let us remember with psalm writer that “the Lord is my light and my salvation.”

~ Life Application Study Bible

Do Not Be Afraid

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.  You believe in God, believe also in me.

My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would

I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for 

you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

John 14:1-3

“Jesus’ words show that the eternal life, though unseen, is secure - as secure as your trust in Jesus.  He has already prepared the way to eternal life.  The only issue that may still be unsettled is your willingness to believe.

There are few verses in Scripture that describe eternal life, but these few verses are rich with promises.  We can look forward to eternal life because Jesus has promised it to all who believe in him.  Although the details of eternity are unknown, we need not fear because Jesus is preparing for us and will spend eternity with us.”

~Life Application Study Bible

Whatever is...

“Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, 

whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - 

if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about these things.

... And the God of peace will be with you.”

Philippians 4:8-9

“What we put in our minds determines what comes out in our thoughts, emotions, words and actions. Examine what you are putting into your mind through television, Internet, books, conversations, movies, and magazines.  Replace harmful input with wholesome material.  Above all, read God’s word and pray.  Ask God to help you focus on what is good and pure.  It takes practice, but it can be done!“

~ Life Application Study Bible

You Got This!!!

A Prayer from Paul

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”  
Ephesians 3:16-19

Come To Me

In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus offers a most appealing invitation saying, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

A physical yoke is designed to bind oxen together to carry heavy loads. In contrast, the spiritual yoke Jesus offers us is light, granting peace and a restful spirit. We simply weren't created to carry heartache and troubles on our own. Shoulder to shoulder with Him, every burden is eased.

~ Charles Stanley

My Hope

We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.  In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.  May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 33:20-22

Strength and Joy

Honor and majesty are in His presence; strength and joy are in His sanctuary."
1 Chronicles 16:27

Where Strength and Joy are Found
Do you need more strength and joy in your life? The Scripture tells us that in God’s presence there is fullness of joy, fullness of peace, fullness of victory—the most abundant and complete! That’s where you’re refreshed and restored. And when you have His joy, you have His supernatural strength. There’s nothing that can come against you when you are filled with the strength and joy of the Lord. Notice this verse says that strength and joy are found in His sanctuary. One translation says they are found “where He is.” And do you know “where He is?” His Spirit is alive in every believer, and in His Word, He promises that He inhabits, or manifests, in the praises of His people. That means when you begin to praise and worship God, either corporately in a church setting or privately in your personal time, God is there. You are in His sanctuary. Anytime you feel depleted or overwhelmed, just begin to sing a song of praise to Him. Declare His goodness and faithfulness. Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you. He’ll fill you with His joy and strength so that you can live as an overcomer all the days of your life!

~ Joel