Seven Things To Think About in These Troubled Times

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It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out we are living in the most troubled times of our lives, but yet, God's Word instructs us to only think on the things that fall into the six categories listed in the above verse.  Today, I want to encourage you by sharing seven true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and good report facts that we can all rely upon and draw our thoughts to no matter what is going on around us.  I am also including some songs that are bringing encouragement to my family and me.  I am amazed at the lyrics penned by these modern Contemporary Christian artists and the depth of meaning and faith that is woven throughout their words.  I hope they bless you, as well.  At the end of the post, I will announce the three winners of the giveaway!

#1.  Everything is going to be okay.

One of the things I most miss about my dear Dad is when he would tell me something I was troubled about was going to be okay.  Just hearing him say that brought a sense of peace and calmed my fears.  Though he is no longer here to speak those words of peace to me, my Heavenly Father sends the Comforter to let me know - everything is going to be okay.  Even now.  No matter what. 

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah."  

Psalm 46:1-3

It's Gonna Be Okay - Tasha Layton

#2.  When Jesus speaks "peace," everything changes.

The tumultuous storm that threatened the lives of His disciples had to back off and cease raging when the voice of the Eternal God in a body of flesh spoke!  Every attack of satan has to back off when He speaks peace to our situation, regardless.

"When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him."  Isaiah 59:19

"And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."  Mark 4:39

Peace Be Still - Hope Darst

#3.  Jesus knows you.

He was there.

Ever since the moment of your conception.  Long before you breathed your first breath.  Every moment of your life.  Through your highest highs and lowest lows.  He was not only there, He pulled you through.  Just look back over the years.  Trace His hand.  The evidence is all over your life.  He knows every, single thing about you, including right now - in this season, in this moment of time.  He is there.  Seeing every tear, watching every event unfold, walking by your side, giving you strength, and supplying your needs.  

"O LORD, Thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.  For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, Thou knowest it altogether."

Psalm 139:1-4

"By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall be continually of You."  Psalm 71:6

Evidence - Josh Baldwin

#4.  Jesus knows what you need.

Even before you come to Him.  Even before you say a word.  He is completely aware of everything weighing on your mind and heart.  He will work it all out.  He cares about everything you care about, and He is perfecting all that concerns you.

"The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever."  Psalm 138:8

"And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear."  Isaiah 65:24

You Already Know - JJ Heller

#5.  God has always kept every promise He has ever made.

Why would He change now?  Why is this situation any different?  Sometimes, it takes time to see a promise fulfilled, but just because God delays in sending the fruition and manifestation of the promise does not mean He has failed to keep His Word.  He works on His own timetable, but He always, always does what He says He will do.  Abraham was 100 years old when God made good on a promise He gave to him when he was 75.  Yet, Abraham's faith stood firm, and he staggered not at the promise of God!  Even during those long years of waiting, he stood firm and was fully persuaded in the promise of the One Who had never failed him!

"Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, so shall thy seed be.  And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform."   Romans 4:18-21

I have heard it said that a child of God can grasp a hold of one of the promises of God and safely swing out over the fires of hell with a full assurance and certainty that God's Word will not fail!  Let us continue to hold fast and firm to the truth of God's Word and look to Jesus no matter what is shaken around us.

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."  Hebrews 12:2

Truth I'm Standing On - Leanna Crawford

#6.  Nothing is more powerful than the power of God that dwells in us!

Nothing in Heaven above or earth below or even the powers of hell is stronger or bigger or above the power of our dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  All things are under His feet, and no matter what satan throws at a child of God, it has NO power over HIS power that lives and works in us.  Praise God!!

"The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:  and hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all."  Ephesians 1:18-23

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is HE that is in you, than he that is in the world."  I John 4:4

"But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you."  Romans 8:11

Same Power - Jeremy Camp

#7.  Even in the worst of times, God remains the same.

My dear Mom always told me that there are three things God cannot do.  

He can't lie.

"God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?"  Numbers 23:19

He can't fail.
"Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that He promised: there hath not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised by the hand of Moses His servant."  I Kings 8:56

He can't change.

"For I am the LORD, I change not."  Malachi 3:6

No matter what happens, God is good.

"For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations."

Psalm 100:5

He is faithful.

"But the Lord is faithful, Who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil."

2 Thessalonians 3:3

He is kind.

"How excellent is Thy lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings."  Psalm 36:7

I Know - Big Daddy Weave

Speaking of Big Daddy Weave, it is now one week after the announcement of our giveaway of THREE of their CDs!  Today, Zach entered the commenters' numbers into wheel decide, and #4 was chosen, then #3, and then #9.  So, the winners are:

Kitty, Barb D., and Deborah!!!

All three winners will receive their own copy of Big Daddy Weave's CD "When the Light Comes," along with a copy of our new book, "Biblical Minimalism:  Following Jesus from a Life of Abundance to a More Abundant Life."

I have been able to contact Kitty and Deborah, but I have no contact information for Barb D.  Barb D., could you please kindly email us at homespundevotions@gmail.com and provide your mailing information, so we can get your package in the mail to you?  We hope to hear from you soon!

Thanks to everyone who commented and entered the giveaway!  If you didn't win and would like our book or the Big Daddy Weave CD, you may order them at the links above.

Keep encouraged, dear friends, and keep pressing on for Jesus.  Heaven will surely be worth it all.  

In closing, Kelly made it through another operation and according to the last report I received, she continues to improve.  The recovery road ahead of her is long and overwhelming, so please do keep her in your prayers.  (If you would like to read the original prayer request for Kelly, click HERE.)