Dear brothers and sisters,

 I pray you are doing well during these trying times. If you want to know what God wants you to do--ask Him, and He will gladly tell you. James 1:5.

I know this is not the normal day I blog but I had to wait due to my emotions. Thank you for coming here today. 

I wrote in my journal this morning, also not my usual. Normally I write at night before I go to bed. Here are my thoughts. 

Father, I hear the wind. I see the boughs of the fir trees swaying with the force of the wind. Yet, the trunk of these big trees hold everything together. The swaying of the boughs are a picture of my emotions lately. Up and down, back and forth as I hear the news of so many suffering in this world. Yet, I cling to You. The day will come when the wind dies down, the sun comes out again and there is sweet calm, a rest for my soul.

Do I blame You for the storm? No, because I know You will use the storm for my good and for Your glory. You are still in control. I will trust You in the matchless name of Jesus, amen.

Then, I went on a search for truth to brace up my mind for the day. I found in Psalm 47:8..."God reigns over the nations; God sits upon His holy Throne."

Psalm 50:14-15..."Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High, And call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall honor and glorify Me."

Before the children of Israel crossed over into the promised land God gave them the Word for success. Verses 5-9. In verse 9 we see..."Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Father we need this assurance today when our whole world is crying out for help. I pray many will turn to You. Give us, the church of Jesus Christ, the strong encouragement we need, so we can attend to and minister to the dying and lost.

Jesus told us in John 16:33..."I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]"

Right now is a good time to lift praise to the Lord! Offer up a thanful heart and bless HIs name!

If you are reading this and don't know for a certainty where you will spend eternity, keep reading. In John 17:3..."And this is eternal life; [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent."

Do you know, Jesus said, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me."

Romans 3:23..."Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives. ]All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus."

Romans 10:13..."For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord [invoking HIm as Lord] will be saved."

Now you know what to do! I truly believe if the Spirit of the Lord has brought you here today it is for your sure salvation. Some of you are religious and very good at it. In your heart is where the truth is. God sees you and longs for relationship with you! You know you can't fix yourself even as you try, it won't get you through the door into eternal life. Jesus knows you or, the door will be shut. Totally up you.

To those of us who are saved by His grace, lift praise and give honor to our soon coming King! Our hearts are resting secure in His presence and we stand boldly on His promises as we read God's Love letter.

If this is my last post I know God will be with you. So until we meet again, blessings be poured out upon your life.

Finally, Psalm 46:11..."The Lord of host is with us; the God of Jaob is our Refuge (our High Tower and Stronghold). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!"

Abundance is...We are in His hands