“Fear came into man’s heart with sin. Adam was never afraid of his God till he had broken his commands.”
C. H. Spurgeon
Anxiety is a major issue among many of us in the era we presently live in.
Anxiety is driven by a fear of something that is the antipathy of peace.
Spurgeon indicates man suffers fear due to guilt of breaking God’s laws.
Paul, who described himself as the greatest sinner (1Tim 1:15) of all, encourages us with these words;
“The Lord is at hand; 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.”
Phil 4:6-7
As easy as this sounds and as hard as it is to do, hand your anxieties over to Jesus.
Good morning as you accept the peace of God who guards your heart and mind
A true Christian follows Jesus with love and obedience, not just words.
The term Christian is often misunderstood. It is commonly defined as “a person professing belief in Jesus as the Christ.” While this is a good start, it falls short of the full biblical truth. In Scripture, the word “Christian” appears only three times—Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, and 1 Peter 4:16. It literally means a follower or belonging to the party of Christ.
What Does the Bible Say?
According to 1 John 2:4, 10: “Whoever says, ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him… Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.”
A true Christian loves others and obeys God’s Word. They are born again, part of God’s family, and transformed by Jesus.
Are We Living As True Christians?
Recent Gallup polls reveal that only 40% of Protestant and non-denominational Christians and 33% of Catholics attend worship services regularly. This raises a deeper question: Are we truly following Christ—or just identifying with Him?
Being a Christian is more than attending church or claiming a label. It’s a daily decision to walk in obedience, love others, and reflect Christ.
Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Let Us Pray
Lord, help us to live as true Christians—not in name only but in love, truth, and obedience to You. Amen.
“Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” —St. Augustine
Indeed, faith truly becomes sight when we believe in what we do not yet see.
The Power of Faith
St. Augustine’s quote echoes the essence of Christian belief. Faith is not blind; it is visionary. It allows us to see Heaven, hope, and salvation—before they are visible. Faith provides the lens through which the unseen becomes real. This vision is embodied in the words of the Apostle’s Creed, a foundational declaration of what we, as Christians, believe:
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
When we affirm this creed, we are declaring with faith what our eyes have not seen. Yet, as faith manifests into sight, the reward of such faith is the spiritual clarity to perceive eternity, grace, and the presence of God in our daily lives. As Proverbs 23:7 reminds us, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” What we believe deeply shapes who we are becoming.
This morning, let your faith define your day. Envision Heaven. Speak belief. Let your thoughts be shaped by eternal promises.
Let Us Pray – Faith Becomes Sight
Lord, help us to see through the eyes of faith, where belief turns into sight. Let what we believe draw us closer to what You have promised. Amen.
I wonder as I wander—on our last day, what will we say? Love now. Forgive now. Do not wait. Say it today. 👉 Subscribe for devotions.
On our last day—what will we say?
Will we say “I love you”? “I forgive you”? “Do you forgive me?”
In moments when I wander and ponder these thoughts, can we say it? Show it? Give it? Receive it?
On His last day, Jesus Christ washed feet.
I wonder… Whatever it is, say it now. Do it now. Do not wait. So many never know when their last day is, as they wander without the chance to say it—or to do it.
Love While There Is Time
“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” – James 4:14
When my dear friend Fred T. entered eternal life this year, I was reminded how fleeting life truly is. His friendship came to me later in life—a surprising blessing. When I suffered a stroke ten years ago, Fred ran toward me, not away. Our bond deepened, and by God’s grace, we grew close enough to say “I love you” at each parting. That’s rare. That’s holy. During moments of wondering as I wandered through that period, I valued those connections immensely.
Love One Another
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ … ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” – Matthew 22:37–39
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34–35
Jesus showed us how to live and love—even at the end. He forgave, served and loved deeply. These weren’t just final acts—they were eternal lessons. Will you offer love now? Forgiveness? A kind word? A needed hug? In doing so, reflect on how you wander through life and wonder about the impact of these actions.
Forgive as He Forgave
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” – Matthew 6:14
Don’t let pride steal a chance for peace. Reconciliation is sacred. Saying “I’m sorry” or “I forgive you” can heal a heart—and your own. Don’t wait, and as I wander, I wonder along paths of reconciliation and peace.
We are spiritual beings here to have a human experience. Exercise your spiritual muscles. As you wonder and wander, say what matters—today. Love like Jesus—today.
Let Us Pray
Lord, help me speak words of love, grace, and forgiveness before it’s too late. Let my heart be quick to act like Yours. Amen. In moments of reflection, I wonder and wander through my spiritual journey.
God’s Word will succeed—it always fulfills His purpose and never returns empty.
“So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” — Isaiah 55:11 (ESV)
Unstoppable Power of the Word
The prophet Isaiah delivers a timeless promise about the Word of God. When God speaks, the outcome is certain. The repetition of the word “shall” reveals how imperative and unstoppable His intentions are.
Isaiah tells us that:
God’s Word is divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit.
It never loses power or returns void.
It penetrates the heart and fulfills His purpose.
It hits the target like a well-aimed arrow.
Whether preached in a pulpit or read in a quiet hospital room, the Word accomplishes divine goals. It doesn’t depend on human eloquence or effort. It succeeds because it is God’s.
The Gideon Testimony
Over 200,000 Gideons across the USA and beyond have distributed more than 2 billion Bibles—an effort driven by the conviction found in Isaiah 55:11. These faithful servants trust that every Bible placed is like an arrow shot toward someone’s heart. We have witnessed lives changed, families restored, and salvation received—all because the Word of God never returns empty.
So this morning, be encouraged. Whether you’re sharing the gospel or clinging to a promise yourself, remember: God’s Word will not fail. 🎶“Send the Light”—and know the Light is His Word!
Let Us Pray
Father, thank You for the power of Your Word. Help us trust that it always accomplishes Your will. Amen.
Know His voice and follow. Jesus promises eternal life and unshakable salvation to those who listen. 👉 Hear Him today.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” — John 10:27–28 (ESV)
Know His voice, and follow. Jesus gives us eternal life and secure salvation.
Recognizing the Father’s Voice
My former Eli Lilly associate, Charlie Duncan, served 38 months in North Africa and Europe as a Captain of a tank company under General George Patton during World War II. When Charlie left, his wife was pregnant with their first child.
Years later, Charlie returned to Memphis on a crowded fall night. Troop trains arrived, railcars opened, and soldiers poured out. Families gathered, searching for their loved ones amid a sea of uniforms.
Charlie’s wife held young Jan—just two or three years old—on her shoulder, scanning the crowd frantically. Then, unexpectedly, Jan cried out, “Momma, there is Daddy!”
This child had never seen his father in person, only in photos. Yet, he somehow recognized him. That moment still brings tears to my eyes. It’s a powerful image of how we, as children of God, recognize the voice of our Savior. Even if we’ve never seen Him face to face, our hearts know His voice.
Know His voice and follow. Jesus promises eternal life and unshakable salvation to those who listen. 👉 Hear Him today.
Security in Salvation
Jesus promises that those who hear His voice and follow Him will never perish. No one can snatch them from His hand. This gives us tremendous peace—knowing that we are safe in Christ, forever.
When we walk closely with Him through Scripture and prayer, we hear His voice clearly. We experience moral clarity and spiritual peace. If we know His voice, we can trust Him to lead us home.
Editor’s note: In the final days of Kaye’s life, a dear friend sang “In the Garden” at her bedside. The presence of Jesus filled the room. We heard His voice that day.
Let Us Pray
Lord, thank You for knowing me and calling me by name. Help me listen for Your voice and follow You each day. Amen.
Explore the meaning of ‘Christ lives in me’ and how it reshapes Christian faith and purpose in daily life. “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.”
— Galatians 2:20
Christ lives in me—this truth changes everything when we grasp it fully.
Seeing the Big Picture
Paul got it. He understood what many of us miss—the “big picture” of the Christian life. He saw himself as spiritually crucified with Christ. His old life died, and Jesus began living in him. This powerful truth gave Paul direction, purpose, and faith.
In three short points, Paul sums up the entire gospel:
He was crucified with Christ.
Jesus now lives in him.
He lives by faith in Jesus, who loves him and gave Himself for him.
This wasn’t just theory for Paul—it was his everyday reality. Because of this faith, Paul could endure prison, persecution, and even death. He knew who lived inside him.
Living by Faith Today
What about us? When we see the big picture like Paul did, we stop trying to live by our own power. We lean into the One who lives in us. Jesus does not merely walk beside us—He lives within us. This truth allows us to face life’s struggles with courage and hope.
Proverbs 23:7 reminds us: “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” When we believe that Christ truly lives in us, our whole outlook shifts. So today, walk by faith. Know that Jesus is alive and working within you.
Good morning, and may you feel Christ living in you by faith.
Let Us Pray
Lord Jesus, thank You for living in me. Help me to walk in faith, trusting You completely. Amen.
