I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
God is with You
Throughout the Bible, there are various moments where God tells someone to not be afraid. Each one comes at a time when the hearer has every reason to be very afraid.
In one instance, Joshua, the leader of Israel after the death of Moses, was taking the Israelites to their promised land (see: Exodus 3). He was leading over one million people to a place God had promised, and it meant going through some overwhelming and terrifying situations.
In the midst of this, God commanded Joshua to do two things:
Obey the Word of God and, be strong and courageous because the Lord was with them. (See: Joshua 1:7-9)
In Matthew 28, Jesus says something similar just after His resurrection. He is with His eleven disciples and He tells them:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20 ESV (Emphasis added)
Jesus tells His disciples two main things:
-
Obey His word (“go into all nations and make disciples”) and, He would be with them.
-
God is always the same. He was the same God when He gave Joshua His word and the assurance of His presence, and He is the same God who gives us His Word and assures us of His presence. We are known, loved, and cared for by the faithful, consistent God—and He will never leave or abandon us.
Today, reflect on the ways you can teach others about Jesus and His words. How does His Word and His presence make you strong and courageous? Before leaving this time, thank God for His promise to always be with you.
True Friendship
Would you rather have hundreds of “friends” who know you, but don’t really know you—who call you a friend, but only when it’s convenient? Or, would you rather have one true friend who always sticks by your side?
The writer of Proverbs, typically attributed to King Solomon, said this:
“There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.”
Proverbs 18:24 NLT
Some friends come into our lives because of proximity: you work at the same business, your kids go to the same school, or you frequent the same places. But just because you know someone’s name and follow each other on social media, doesn’t mean you’re true friends.
When it comes to genuine friendship, quality over quantity is key.
Even the truest of friends will occasionally let you down, because no one is perfect—except Jesus. He is the truest friend of all.
Learning from Jesus’ example, there are certain characteristics that ...
