4GIVEN

Quiet as it’s kept, stress is a silent killer. The dictionary defines stress as “physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension.” The fact is we all suffer from this potentially deadly emotion from time-to-time. Anything that causes stress is called a “stressor” and there are two types; processive and systemic.The processive determines whether we “fight or flight” whereas the Systemic is more physiological. In either case, when we allow the stressors of life to inundate or minds and spirits it can hinder our quality of life emotionally, spiritually, vocationally, physically, mentally, and relationally. We don’t cope with stress rather we mitigate, manage, or eliminate it by yielding our burdens over to Jesus Christ. Jesus offers us great encouragement in John 14:1: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” We desperately need Him in our lives. We need Him because He is the only one who can give us the strength to overcome the stressors that adversely impact our lives. I am a repeat offender and often fall victim to these stressors however; I’m getting stronger everyday. Perhaps no passage in Scripture better captures how to handle stress than Philippians 4:6-7: “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 Jesus.” The Lord tells us not to be anxious about anything, but rather to yield everything over to Him in prayer. So today, remember we mitigate, manage, or eliminate the stressors in our lives by lifting our burdens and concerns to a holy, caring, loving, gracious, merciful, and righteous God. 
  

We are able because God is able. John 15:5 says, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” Dependence defined means reliance, confidence, and trust whereas independence is defined as freedom from the control, influence, support, or aid. Let’s admit it we all like our independence but the fact is we are can do much more in life when we are completely dependent on Christ. Caroline Buchanan wrote, “When we look to God as provider, we are surrendering our independence and trusting someone else to meet our needs, over which we have no control. Letting go of our ‘dependence on independence’ and letting someone else take control goes against natural human instinct. We need to fight the urge to take over and just let God be God, because He can provide for us better than we can.” So today surrender your independence to the Father and remember you will never know that God is all you need until God is all you got! (2 Corinthians 1:9 LB)

It is promised that we shall not be moved. If God be in our hearts, by His word dwelling richly in us, we shall be established, we shall be helped; let us continue to trust God during times of adversity, difficulty, and uncertainty. Let us stand courageously and not be afraid because our God is with us even till the end of this age. Psalm 46:1-11 says, “God is our refuge and strength always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts! The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world.He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.

The front page of newspapers and the top stories on the Internet, social media, or television seem to focus on simmering crises, crime, accidents, politics, the economy, and prominent people behaving badly. Our conversations at work and home begin to dwell on these issues, and it’s enough to discourage anyone. Where can we turn for better news? I have learned that no news is better than new-news. Sometimes we need to unplug; turn off the TV and shut down the devices and plug into God’s word. John 14:1 says, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God [Word], and trust also in me [Word].” Daniel Habben said, Stay plugged into God’s Word. That’s what brought us to faith and that’s what will continue to sustain us in the days ahead. The great thing about the power of God’s Word is that it’s free. While the cost of heating and powering our homes may be on the rise, the cost of strengthening and maintaining faith will never change. God’s Word is not only free; it’s reliable because it endures forever. Therefore those who plug into the Word will endure forever as well.

Your tongue will either dig a grave or cultivate life. Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” In most cases hurt, anger, arrogance, bitterness, and pride are the fuel agents that releases profanities and obscenities. I heard it said, “Christians ought to tame the ‘beast’ behind their ‘ivory bars’. In the book of James we learn our tongue is restless and evil, full of deadly poison and that no one can tame it. As with so many things in life, “with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matt 19:26) It takes the power of the resurrected Christ within us to control the tongue. He convicts us when we sin with our lips, and that conviction fuels us to repent and pray for more filling of the Spirit so we can stop digging graves and start cultivating life. So today, “Let your conversations be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.” (Col 4:6)

  
Lord, thank You for life and life abundant! Lord God you are good and your mercy endures forever. Father God, life as You know can be very complicated with it’s various twists, turns, and valley experiences. But, through it all You have never left me stranded nor have you ever abandoned me. Despite my complaints, pity-parties, and blame shifting, You have remained faithful. Words can’t express how grateful I am for Your unfailing love, unwavering patience, and endless grace. You have been consistent in revealing who You are and how you are working in and through my life! I surrender all of me so that I can experience all of You. Through Christ, I will forge through this valley experience victoriously! But, while I am here, I will give You praise, honor, and glory!! Lord, thank You for everything and most of all, thank You for being my God! In Jesus’ name, amen!

“Although, I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil…..” Psalm 23:4 I would rather it read, “Although, I run really-really fast through the valley…..” Whenever, we experience the valley of despair, disappointment, and discomfort it’s not uncommon for us to desire to take the most expeditious passage out of the valley, right? It behooves us to remember that every valley is a passageway rather than a destination and that God controls the depth and length of our valley experiences. I will submit to you that, the deeper the valley, the greater the work God will be able to do through it. The concluding words revealed by God and penned by David in V.4 is, “for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Ok, God I will take off my running shoes because I know that You are always present in our pain, You love us despite our losses, and You are patient despite our complaints. So today remember, God will never leave your side and all things work together. The valley is where God strips us of pride, renews our passion for Him, refines our character, and/or purify our motives. 

  
God is forever faithful and never once has He not been able to see us through! He is always on time and He is perennially good. He will never be considered a fair weather friend. His friendship/love is unstoppable, unmatchable, unbreakable, and unshakeable. We serve an awesome God who is able, “to do exceeding abundantly above all that we could ever ask or think through the power that worketh in us.” Ephesians 3:20 

#HALLEJUAH 

 Fear reminds us that we are human and faith reminds us that God is greater than our fears. When we feed our faith, we will starve our fears. So how do we feed our faith? According to Romans 10:17 the bible says, “Faith comes by hear and hearing by the word of God!” Pastor Francis Frangipane wrote, “Any time we open ourselves up to fear, we fall prey to his deceptions and intimidations. Yet, if we submit our hearts to God and stand in faith, we can resist those first fearful thoughts. As we yield to God we can master our reactions to fear and the enemy will soon flee.” So today stand by faith and commit to memory, the words inspired by God and penned by Paul in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

God said in Isaiah 66:13, “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; And you will be comforted in Jerusalem.” According to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, the Greek word for comfort is parakaleó which means to call to one’s aid, i.e. encouragement, consolation, and exhortation.” We are so bless that God will not only grant His holy and divine presence but He also commands His blessings over our lives despite our sinful nature. In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus said, Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Fact is we are often nearer to God in times of trouble however, we should be thankful that in those times God will call to our aid divine encouragement, consolation, and comfort. So today in times of trouble, uncertainty, or frustration remember what Jesus said in John 14:18, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will……come to you.”