"7" Minutes Alone with God

Thus says the Lord, in an acceptable and favorable time  I have heard and answered you,  and in a day of salvation  I have helped you; and I will preserve you  (Isaiah 49:8 Amp) In an acceptable time and in due season are phrases found throughout the Bible.  They indicate that after much time, when circumstances were just right, long-awaited events finally came to pass. Abraham and Sarah, beyond childbearing years, gave birth to their son, Isaac, through whose lineage the Messiah would be born.  (Genesis 18:1-19; 21:1-2; Matthew 1:2, 16).  Zechariah and Elizabeth experienced the same miracle with the birth of John, later known as John the Baptizer, the forerunner of the Messiah. (Luke 1:5-25, 57). God’s often repeated promise to send a Redeemer came to pass when Jesus, the Holy Son of God, was born in a human body to the Virgin Mary. (Luke 1:26-38; 2:6-7) . Even before God created our universe, He promised to provide a method by whi...

Do not fret…it only causes harm     (Psalm 37:8) God’s Word instructs us not to fret, but we may find ourselves doing so anyway.  Often we are unaware that we are fretting because it comes to us as naturally as breathing.  Once we become aware of the problem and try to stop, we discover how difficult a habit it is to break.  Recognizing the nature of fretting and the damage it can cause, may help us keep on trying. First, we need to acknowledge that fretting is a sin, for anytime we do something that God’s Word says we are not to do, it is sin. The (result) wages of sin is death   (Romans 6:23)  While fretting is detrimental to our health and well-being, it generally does not bring about physical death. However, death comes in many forms.  The word death conveys a sense of loss or separation.  Fretting can cause the loss of peace of mind, a positive attitude, restful nights, productive days, healthy relationships with family, ...

Peace I leave with you.  My peace I give to you;  not as the world gives do I give to you.   Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid  (John 14:27) Peace.  We all want it.  We crave it and search endlessly for it.  But peace is illusive. At those rare times when we do achieve it, it is usually short-lived.  There is always one more thing to fret about and new things to fear if we allow ourselves to do so. Fear is the greatest enemy of peace.  Especially fear of the unknown.  But there is no room for fear in the heart that is filled with faith.  God’s Word instructs us to: Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus  (Philippians 4:6-7)   Three basic elements that lead to peace are found in t...

Peace I leave with you.  My peace I give to you;  not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid   (John 14:27) Peace.  We all want it.  We crave it and search endlessly for it.  But peace is illusive. At those rare times when we do achieve it, it is usually short-lived.  There is always one more thing to fret about and new things to fear if we allow ourselves to do so.   Fear is the greatest enemy of peace.  Especially fear of the unknown.  But there is no room for fear in the heart that is filled with faith.  God’s Word instructs us to: Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus   (Philippians 4:6-7)  Three basic ele...

Do not be afraid.  Stand still, and see the deliverance of the Lord.   The Lord will fight for you, and you shall be quiet   (Exodus 14:13-14) We live in troubling times.  News agencies from around the world bombard us daily with reports of global unrest, broken peace treaties, and war; widespread hunger, floods, fires, and earthquakes; unstable economies; a continual rise in crime, and unlawful acts by those in places of power. On a more immediate and personal level, we may find ourselves trapped in an unhealthy relationship, unsatisfactory working conditions, or a financial crisis.  Or maybe we are among the millions who are simply exhausted from a whirlwind of activities and responsibilities from which there seems to be no escape.  Dragging through the day, and tossing on our pillows at night. Do you sometimes find yourself craving the peace God has promised those who are called by His name?  The assurance that, in spite of the circu...