They couldn’t deny the evidence of His power—because they thought they knew Him, because they were not expecting this display of power or authority from the one they knew, because He was not what/who they recognized or accepted.

Jesus stood on the beach and knew right where they were, what they were doing, and that they had no fish. When life is disrupted and we are disappointed, He sees, He cares, He has a plan.

Your reaction and response to God’s word depends on your position. What have you determined or decided about the Word of God?

Unthankful and ungrateful attitudes and words create unbelief and undermine the power and authority of God's Word in your life.

I also want to note here that the apostle’s prayer was not a request to remove the pressure or persecution. Their prayer was to be made bold under this pressure and to be made willing to speak the Word with courage, commitment, and conviction. This is the part of the followers of Jesus. 

It is an issue of stewardship. God has given me His favor in giving me Christ. How am I responding to this? Am I receiving the favor given?

Calvary’s climb was grueling and gruesome. It cost Jesus His life and why would I think it should not cost me?

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3 (NIV) 

Because God’s word never fails, I have been comforted. I call back and review His faithfulness which is constant. My history and the countless testimonies of others consoles me. It reminds me of Who He is.

He picked us out and started His work in us. He knows what He wants each one of us to become and what steps are necessary to conform us to His image.

“…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 (ESV)

All I do know is where to go to feed my spirit and fan my faith. I turn to the only unchanging declaration of who God is and pick up the written word and remind myself that this is where God speaks personally to me. 

I pray someone reading this will hear the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit reminding you of the most sincere and genuine words of devotion ever spoken. God’s heart is fully and completely committed to you. With Him you are never overlooked or unimportant

If you blew it today, confess it to Jesus. Ask him to forgive and cleanse you and fill you with his Spirit to start again.

Both small and big decisions set life on a course and point us in a direction for the future. Our decisions influence and shape who we will become. No wonder they seem overwhelming at times!

You never know what someone needs to hear. But God knows every thought in every heart and wants to speak personally, not only to you, but also through you.

Wherever you find your self today, God wants you to know there is the potential for this to become a beautiful place in your life.

It is a privilege to be used to shape and mold younger women in godly living. The world is snatching and tearing at their image and shredding their identity with alarming success.

If you are facing a new year with little or no confidence that things will ever change, this may be a new thought for you. God’s kindness is making you uncomfortable and unsettled.