words of encouragement.

7 The LORD is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him,
(Nahum1)

*smile*

battles raging

The battle never ceases, despite the fact that there are long periods in our lives without fighting, without bloodshed, without even fear or weeping. However, do not be fooled. Those times are rest stops; the battle still rages. Do not put down your weapons. Do not give up your defenses. Do not think that you're safe and secure.

The enemy is lurking, and he is waiting for you to give in to the belief that everything will be okay. The truth is that everything is not quiet and calm as you think. The battle rages on, and the rest is only there to help you prepare for battle!

Friends, know God. He is your defense. The battle will continue, and when it does, will you be ready?

a good reminder.

16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[f] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.[g] 19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."[h]

Enough said. :)

sphere of influence.

20 Elisha died and was buried.
Now Moabite raiders used to enter the country every spring. 21 Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man's body into Elisha's tomb. When the body touched Elisha's bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet. (2 Kings 13)

I think it's wonderful that God would continue to work even after Elisha's death; a man was raised from the dead simply by being placed in Elisha's tomb. I want God to work in my life in such a way, where people who are just placed in my proximity would be affected by the love and life of God. :) Even when I die, I hope that I leave a legacy; not that I want to be famous, but I just hope that when I die those who I've left behind would know that I lived for God and perhaps be influenced by that. :)

guard your heart

23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs4

Your heart is a very fragile thing. It is susceptible to

jealousy...
envy...
want...
emptiness...
pain...
abandonment...
betrayal...
disappointment...
loss...
failure...
lies...
denial...
suffering...
despondency...

You cannot shield your life from the above feelings or states of existence because they are a part of life. But you can protect your heart. If the joy of the Lord overflows every ounce of your heart, these feelings cannot penetrate. They cannot invade. They cannot overcome. Despite the mishaps of life, you will be strong because your wellspring has not been tampered. Guard your heart with God's love and seal it with His spirit and power.

believe.

"...Sarah's womb was also dead" Romans4:19 Despite this, despite the long waiting, despite all the disappointments of the past, despite everything, in spite of all, Abraham believed. And they conceived.

What could we do if we would just believe?

details

"...like a lily blossom" 1Kings7:26

The above statement is describing the furnishing of the temple. The detail of it amazing. The design was premeditated and thoughtful, not to mention exquisite.

Likewise, God designs our lives with impeccable detail. Though we don't see the entire masterpiece all at once, each day that we live is one touch, one stroke, or one stitch by the Artist. We might not necessarily see the beauty of it from day to day; however, that is only because we lack perspective.

We just have to be patient. He is working the details of His artistry in our lives, and if we continue to believe and hope, one day we will see the entirety of His masterpiece.