The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; Let the many islands be glad. Psalm 97:1 NASBS

Reading through Psalm 97 this morning and this first verse is so powerful!  There’s always so much going on in our world that it can quickly become overwhelming, and we can get so stressed out and even fearful at times.

How quickly we forget the first three words of this Psalm, “The LORD reigns”!  For anyone who believes in and follows The LORD Jesus Christ, there’s NOTHING that is more important to know, understand, and govern our thoughts, emotions, and lives with than “The LORD reigns”!

Besides the obvious fact that we lean on our own understanding and knowledge rather than trust in God’s promises, too often our fears come from what we chase after and indulge in, in this world.  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

We’re told in Hebrews 13:1,5-6 NASBS-

Let love of the brethren continue. Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," so that we confidently say, "The LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"

We can continue down the broad path of “success” that the world offers, or we can decide to turn from our desires and chase after The LORD by digging into His Word first thing every morning including some conversation with Him, prayer, and then go out and apply His Word to our daily lives. 

I know, and I too used to be that guy, we don’t have to get up and get into God’s Word and prayer first thing in the morning.  First, this is what Jesus did as recorded in the Gospels, He got alone with His Father, God.  Follow me as I follow Christ, right!  Jesus is God and if He thought it was important to do it first thing, away from everyone and everything else, shouldn’t we be doing the same?

Second, we need God’s guidance for our day, not after it.  We get that via The Holy Spirit, digging into God’s Word.  We need to daily dive in so that we’re armored up for the spiritual battles that WILL come our way EVERY day!  (Ephesians 6:10-17)  It’s like going on a road trip and not having enough fuel for the trip, but you say no worries, I’ll just get to it later!

And last, it’s a great thought and well-meaning to say I’ll do it later, before I go to bed, etc., but way too often life gets in the way.  Most people I know who have this approach, including when I used to say it, is that it just rarely happened. 

God’s compassions have never failed us, and they never will.  He longs to give us more of Him, but He won’t force Himself on us.  We must choose how we’re going to live today.  We can’t rest on what we did yesterday and while we can make plans for tomorrow we don’t really know what tomorrow will bring.  We need to focus more on the task at hand, being Jesus to all those around us.  Jesus told us in Matthew 6:34 NASBS. "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

And we’re told in Lamentations 3:22-25 NASBS, The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.  "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him."  The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him.

The LORD wants us to seek Him, to expectantly know that He will finish what He’s started in us, and to serve Him.  It’s not osmosis.  We must surrender ALL our lives to Him and actively pursue Him to know Him more and more, and not just for the knowledge, but rather so we know beyond a shadow of a doubt His will for us right here, right now!

Will you trust Jesus today?  He’s the author and finisher of our faith! (Hebrews 12:2)  He has given us all we need for life and Godliness.  (2 Peter 1:3)  The Bible was given to us so that we can live our lives on this earth, thoroughly, completely equipped for every good thing that He was put in front of us to do, today and God promises to work things out for our good when we do, and that good is to make us more like His Son, Jesus!  (2 Timothy 3:16-17)  He will finish what He’s started!  (Philippians 1:6)

Please don't hesitate to reach out to us with any questions, prayer requests, etc.  We'd love to pray with and for you and to the best of our ability answer any questions you may have soley using God's Word!

Here to serve and disciple until He calls us home,

Curt & Mary Jo

Note-all Scripture references in parenthesis are direct links God's Word so that you can easily click and read what The LORD has to say about the section before the reference.  I encourage you to click, read, study and even memorize these passages for yourself and NOT to just not just take my word for it.  (Psalm 119).  Also the links take you to Blue Letter Bible's website and mostly take you to the AMP version, which is a great tool for reading and understanding God's Word, https://www.blueletterbible.org/.