 Jeremiah 31:25 “...for I satisfy the thirsty person and feed all those who are weak.” ~CSB
Satisfying a thirst. Who doesn’t like ice water on a hot summer day. I’m talking, at the peak of your thirst where your mouth is so dry you can taste different flavors of salt in your mouth. The quench of a tall glass of ice water on a day like this feels like it may have been ‘heaven sent’. But it wasn’t. Any blessing ‘heaven sent’ would be eternal. That ice water used in the example above is not necessarily heaven sent because it is not eternal. If we continue to go through that hot day without any more water, we will be thirsty again. So let us define this example as it refers to worldly and 'heaven sent' by using the difference between happiness and joy. The world's mindset is usually based on happiness. Happiness doesn’t last long. But the joy in our hearts come from the Lord, (Psalm 30:5). This is heaven sent. Now let us look at another example through our friend Fred. Fred woke up happy this morning. There is a car at a lot that he has been saving his money for. He has always wanted this type of vehicle so he jumps in his car and drives down to buy it. When he gets there he finds out the car has been sold. There was a miscommunication between him and the salesman and the car is not available anymore. Fred’s happiness was gone. His whole mood has changed. How will this affect how he will be around his wife, his children or even his co-workers? The world gave him his happiness and then the world took it away. But let us look at this from a spiritual point of view. After talking to his wife, Fred found his joy. God, through his wife, allowed him to realize that he already had a car that was able to take him wherever he needed to go. Not only that but his wife has a car also so that the two of them can independently work and take care of their home. And now the money he was going to use to buy the car, can now be put to use in other ways. Fred realized that he was blessed and not getting the car he wanted, did not take away from what God has already given him. When we think about God’s goodness and what he has done for us, we can rest in assurance that no matter what the world tries to do, it cannot take away what God has given. It is God’s joy that eternally satisfies our thirst. And it is God’s joy that feeds us and gives us strength where we are weak. With God, all things are possible. May God continue to protect, guide and heal you as you journey in Jesus’ name. Amen
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 Psalm 34:8 “Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the person who takes refuge in Him!” ~CSB
I get questioned by those going through alcohol addiction about my confidence in God. I tell them I understand their confusion because I was once in their position. We have lived our lives believing in and embracing what we ‘see’ as truth. Becoming a Christian requires us to embrace what we cannot see, and that is hard at first. This is why it is important to lean on the Holy Spirit. The spirit not only communicates to God for you, it will also communicate to you and give you direction. For example, the spirit will allow you to understand that when you are outside, you will feel the wind blow against your skin. Even though you do not see it, you know the wind is there. This happened to me during my struggle with alcohol. God knew my problem was too great for me to deal with on my own. I had to give my problem to Him, but I didn’t know how. God connected with me through the book of Deuteronomy 30:11-20. The question was given to me, did I want to live or die? At the time, I did not understand the question. Really, I couldn't bring myself to even ask God to stop drinking. My flesh was too strong and it made me resist the call to the Lord for help. But the Holy Spirit knew my heart and God’s plan for my life. I didn’t know it but the Lord knew I would not be able to answer yet. He just gave me the question so that I might be prepared for what was about to happen to me. A few days later I was hit by a truck while riding my motorcycle down the interstate. It was when the medical team was wheeling me into the first of eight surgeries when I could finally answer God’s question. I remember crying out to the Lord saying, “I choose life! Whatever you want me to do, I choose life, Lord!” And that is when God healed me. He not only allowed me to keep my leg that was severed as a result of the accident, but He took away that craving of alcohol within me. I no longer had that taste for alcohol in my system. Instead my palate improved. In this miracle I tasted the power of God’s healing, forgiveness and love! It is because of this new taste, my confidence in the Lord is strong. Confidence in God that He is bigger than anything this world can throw in our lives. Think back and search for God’s power in your life. Know that He loves us so much that He sacrificed His One and Only Son for us to have eternal life! If you haven’t experienced that power yet, keep living. God is waiting for you to call to Him. He will do the same for you as He has done and is still doing for me and countless others. Because of His love for us, our refuge in Him is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 “It is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us–our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, in order that, as it is written: Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” ~CSB
A young child, college student if you will, may boast about their independence. Having a car, wearing the latest fashions and eating at some of the best restaurants. This is funny because most of the time, it is their parents that pay their car note. It is their parents who pay their tuition while in school so that they do not have any school debt after graduating from college. These young teenagers may also receive an allowance from their parents so they can supplement their young habits of buying the latest clothes, food and other expenses. Yet, they will not give credit to their parents for their blessed lifestyle. There is nothing wrong with spoiling our children, but as Christians, children of God, we sometimes forget where we should aim our boasting as well. God blesses us with our homes, families, food and abilities to get from one place to another. But how often do we give God the praise He deserves? We boast about how ‘independent’ we are. Sometimes, (unfortunately), we throw our success in others’ faces. Instead, we should actually drop to our knees and thank God for His grace and mercy. Like the paid debt of a college student, it is because of God, our debt of sin is paid. It is because of God’s grace and mercy that we are, “...in Christ Jesus…” So let us not claim success as something we accomplished on our own. Instead let us make disciples by showing others where the true power of our strength, wisdom and endurance comes from. Like the word says,“...Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” May God bless and keep you under His protection as you journey in Jesus' name. Amen |
Authors Billy & YolandaThis is the place where we share our heart through God's Word in faith that will inspire and empower you to live in peace. Archives
January 2026
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