1 Cor. 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Men of an amiable, yielding temper, willing to take the lowest place; to be least of all; and the servants to all…who live near God, and who are willing to suffer all things for Christ’s sake without being proud of it – these are the men we need.~ Ann Hasseltine Judson 1789~1826
“A young man should ask himself not if it is his duty to go to the heathen, but if he may dare stay at home. The command is so plain: ‘Go.'” Lottie Moon
“It’s better to be in a ‘bad place’ WITH God than to be in a ‘good place’ without Him!” Gary Hamrick
“The Bible is the only book that hangs its entire credibility on its ability to write history in advance, without error.” Chuck Missler
Psalm 46:1 To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Have you ever felt a deep, overwhelming desire to find a hidden shelter – a safe place where you can step away from the noise, demands, and storms of life? We live in a world filled with endless pressures, unexpected trials, and moments that totally exhaust our strength. I’ve been there, haven’t you? In those weary seasons, our hearts naturally long for a sanctuary of peace where we can simply rest, drop our burdens, and breathe without fear. We used to go camping in the woods with our RV. The woods were my shelter! During my devotional time, I put on the sounds of the forest to remind me of my shelter.
The wonderful truth of the Bible is that God does not only provide a refuge; He is our refuge. Psalm 46:1 reminds us, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Human shelters, whether they are physical homes, quiet retreats, or comforting routines, are temporary and can be shaken. But the Lord is an unchanging, everlasting refuge. He is not distant or hard to reach; He is “very present,” constantly near and ready to surround us with His protection the moment we call upon Him. You don’t have to drive anywhere to get to Him. Isn’t that a comfort to you?
When we run to the Lord for cover, we find both safety and spiritual protection under His care. Psalm 91:1-2 captures this promise so beautifully! “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” To abide under His shadow means staying close to Him through continuous prayer, meditating on His Word, and trusting His heart even when we cannot see the outcome. In His presence, the enemy’s fiery darts lose their power, and our anxious thoughts find true quietness. His shadow provides shelter from the heat of battles, no matter what those battles are.
When life feels overwhelming today, remember that you never have to face the storm alone or search far to find a safe haven. Proverbs 18:10 assures us, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Run to Him in this moment of trial. Lay down your fears, surrender your worries, and let the peace of God guard your heart and mind, knowing that in the shelter of the Almighty, you are forever secure.
Jesus was not a whisperer. No one ever saw Him close to His neighbor’s ear, looking stealthily around lest some one should overhear what He was going to say. He stood upright, looked men squarely and kindly in the eye, and spoke what He had to say right out, boldly, frankly, that the whole world might hear; and when He did speak privately to His disciples, He told them to shout it from the housetops. ‘Truth fears nothing but concealment,’ said an old Church Father, and Jesus spake only the truth.
~ Samuel Logan Brengle 1860~1936
Scrolling through daily headlines and non-stop news can quickly leave us feeling exhausted, anxious, and burdened by the weight of global uncertainty. The fatigue and quiet dread so many experience today are natural reactions when we try to navigate a troubled world in our own strength. Yet, this overwhelming feeling is a constant reminder of a fundamental truth: we cannot carry the weight of this world on our own, and we deeply need Jesus Christ in our lives.
When we look to human systems or daily news cycles for reassurance, we are left empty. Christ never promised that the world would be free from trouble, but He did promise that He would be our anchor as we live in it. As He reminded His followers: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulations: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, KJV). True peace is not found in a quiet news cycle, but in the unwavering presence of the Saviour.
Rather than letting the cares of the times turn into constant worry, God asks us to exchange our anxiety for His sweet reassurance through prayer. The Apostle Paul writes, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7, KJV). This supernatural peace guards our hearts even when circumstances around us remain unpredictable and disconcerting.
If you are feeling weary today, remember that you do not have to carry the future on your shoulders. Jesus offers a standing invitation: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, KJV). Turn your eyes away from the noise of the world and set them upon Him, trusting that the Lord who has overcome the world is more than able to sustain your heart today.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
I was listening to a message by Pastor Gary Hamrick recently. He asked the question: “Are you a steppingstone or a stumbling block to Jesus Christ?” Wow! What a thought-provoking question – one that everyone should be asking themselves. Every day, our words, actions, and attitudes serve as a bridge that draws others closer to the Savior, or a barrier that turns them away. We do not live in a neutral bubble; the life of a Christian constantly sends a message to a watching world about the character of God. Scripture calls us to examine our walk carefully, ensuring that our lives serve as a clear, inviting path to the cross rather than an obstacle that causes others to trip.
The Bible speaks directly to the danger of becoming a hindrance to another person’s faith. In Romans 14:13, the Apostle Paul admonishes, “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” When we live hypocritically, harbor ungracious attitudes, or compromise our integrity, we become a stumbling block – a tripping hazard for those seeking truth. Jesus issued a warning in Matthew 18:6, declaring, “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Becoming a barrier to someone’s spiritual journey is a grave matter to God.
In contrast, God calls us to be steppingstones – living examples that help point them directly to Jesus. As a steppingstone, your kindness, patience, and unwavering faith (especially during difficult times) provide a solid place for those struggling to gain their footing. Jesus calls us to live transparently in Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” When our lives reflect the fruit of the Spirit, we become a dependable path that guides lost and weary travelers toward God’s grace.
Think for a moment on your daily interactions with family, coworkers, and strangers. Ask yourself: Does my life make it easier or harder for people to believe in Jesus? By surrendering your heart daily and walking closely with the Lord, He will refine your witness through His Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 10:32–33, Paul provides the blueprint for a steppingstone life: “Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” Lay down your self-interest and allow God to shape your life into a steppingstone that leads others into His eternal kingdom.
“Christ is like a river in another respect. A river is continually flowing, there are fresh supplies of water coming from the fountain-head continually, so that a man may live by it, and be supplied with water all his life. So Christ is an ever-flowing fountain; he is continually supplying his people, and the fountain is not spent. They who live upon Christ, may have fresh supplies from him to all eternity; they may have an increase of blessedness that is new, and new still, and which never will come to an end.”
~ Jonathan Edwards 1703~1758
