“Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!” (Luke 12:24 NIV)

When you stop to observe nature, you see countless examples of God’s faithful provision. The birds neither worry nor store up, yet they are always fed. If God provides for them, how much more will He care for those made in His image!

God’s generosity knows no limits.

He gave His very best—His Son—for you. If He didn’t withhold Jesus, you can trust Him to meet every other need as well.

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32)

He supplies all your needs!

His supply comes from heavenly resources, not limited earthly ones. You can rest in His abundant care today.

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)

No need to worry!

Your Father already knows what you need before you even ask. Worry changes nothing—but trusting Him changes everything.

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” (Matt. 6:31–32)

Therefore

You can live in peace today knowing that your heavenly Father cares for you deeply and provides for your every need. Trust Him fully, thank Him daily, and rest securely in His unfailing provision!

“The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.” (Psalm 23:1 NIV)

“As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.” (Psalm 18:30 NIV)

On a stormy day, a child runs to their parent as lightning flashes and thunder rolls. The moment they’re wrapped in their parent’s arms, they feel safe again—even though the storm still rages outside. The shelter didn’t make the storm disappear, but it made all the difference in how it was faced.

That’s what it’s like when you take refuge in God

The storms of life may still surround you, but under His protection you find peace, safety, and calm.

God’s way is perfect!

He never makes mistakes. His plans are complete, consistent, and perfectly timed.

His Word is flawless!

You can build your life on His promises—they never fail, never crack, and never need revision.

He shields all who take refuge in Him!

Just as a strong umbrella shields you from the downpour, God covers you with His care, blocking the enemy’s attacks and calming your fears.

“No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” (Isa. 54:17)

Therefore

Whatever storm you may be walking through today, don’t stand in the rain alone. Run to God. Take refuge under His perfect covering—your strong, faithful Shield!

“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” (Psalm 32:7)

“And his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.” (Eph. 1:19–20 NIV)

Years ago, a young man bought a used sports car that looked fast but constantly sputtered and stalled. After weeks of frustration, a mechanic discovered that several spark plug wires were loose and not making proper contact. Once the connections were securely seated, the engine roared to life with all its intended power.

Many Christians live this way today. The power of the Holy Spirit is within them, yet they act lukewarm (Rev. 3:15-16) and behave as though they are not connected, because they are not growing closer to God through daily prayer and Bible study.

The Christian life was never meant to be weak or defeated. It began with resurrection power—and that same power is still available to every believer today.

The Gospel Came with Power

“For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.” (1 Thess. 1:5)

Power Over the Enemy

“Behold, I give unto you power… over all the power of the enemy.” (Luke 10:19)

God’s power enables you to resist temptation, defeat fear, and overcome anything that tries to hold you down.

Power to Witness

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” (Acts 1:8)

This divine power gives you boldness and clarity to share your faith effectively wherever you go.

Power to Endure

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Isaiah 40:29)

Even when you feel drained, God’s power replenishes and renews you from the inside out.

That Power Works in You!

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” (Ephe. 3:20)

The same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead is alive and active in you today!

Therefore

Stay connected to God through prayer, faith, reading the Bible, and obedience. His power is not distant—it’s incomparably great and working mightily in you right now!

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” (Eph. 6:10)

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Over the past weekend my wife, Susan, tripped and fell, causing a serious fracture and a trip to the ER. And my sister, Kathi, was crushed between two cars and had to be medivacked to the hospital with multiple injuries. These events immediately impacted the schedules of our family as we navigated through all of this.

Life can change in an instant

One phone call, one diagnosis, or one unexpected turn can leave you feeling shaken and unsure where to go next. But this verse reminds us that no matter what happens, God is our safe place, our steady strength, and our constant help.

He is your Refuge

When life feels uncertain, you can find safety in God’s presence. Just as a strong shelter protects you from a storm, His love covers you and gives peace when everything around you feels unstable.

He is your Strength

God doesn’t expect you to face hard times alone. When your strength fades, His strength takes over. His power lifts you when you feel weak, and His Spirit renews your courage to keep going.

He is your Ever-Present Help

God is never far away. He’s not a distant observer; He’s an ever-present helper—right beside you, ready to comfort, guide, and support you.

Therefore

When trouble comes, don’t panic—pray. Don’t fear—trust. God is your refuge, your strength, and your help in every moment.

“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.” (Nahum 1:7)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Rom. 15:13 NIV)

There are at least four things to notice in this passage:

1. Who? The God of Hope.

2. What? He fills you with all joy and peace.

3. When? As you trust in Him.

4. Result: You overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

When Susan and I planted a small flower garden behind our house, we installed a simple fountain powered by a small pump. The water continuously cycled upward and spilled gently over the top, flowing down and refilling the basin below. As long as the pump stayed connected to its power source, the water kept flowing freely — but if the connection was interrupted, the fountain stopped, and everything quickly dried up.

He fills you to overflowing!

When you place your trust in God, He fills you with so much joy and peace that it overflows from your life — spilling out hope, encouragement, and faith to everyone around you. Like that fountain, the Holy Spirit continually pours into you as long as you stay connected to your power source — the God of Hope!

Therefore

Stay connected to Him daily through prayer, His Word, and trust. Let His joy and peace flow freely in you and through you, refreshing others wherever you go.

“Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:38 NIV)

“The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17 NIV)

A friend once invited me to visit his orchard. As we walked among the trees, I noticed that some were heavy with fruit while others barely produced any. He smiled and said, “These trees that bear the most fruit are the ones that have been pruned the most. They’ve been shaped to grow the right way.”

That image stayed with me. Godly wisdom works the same way—it grows in us as we allow God to shape, trim, and mature us. The fruit of true wisdom isn’t instant—it develops through surrender and obedience to God’s Word.

The verse at the top of the page gives us a clear checklist for recognizing godly wisdom:

·      It must be pure. Pure means not mixed or contaminated—having no moral failing or guilt. To be pure is to be virtuous, righteous, honest, blameless, and uncorrupted.

·      It must be peace-loving. Peace-loving means being calm, conciliatory, gentle, and seeking harmony rather than strife. True wisdom doesn’t stir up conflict—it restores relationships.

·      It must be considerate. Considerate means careful not to cause hurt or inconvenience to others. It’s attentive, kind, patient, and compassionate. Godly wisdom always values people over pride.

·      It must be submissive. Submissive means willing to yield to proper authority, to listen and learn, and to stay humble. Wisdom recognizes that God’s will is greater than our own.

·      It is full of mercy. Mercy shows compassion and forgiveness toward others even when we have the power to punish or criticize. It’s gentle, understanding, and full of grace.

·      It is full of good fruit. This refers to the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22–23 ESV)

·      It must be impartial. Impartial means fair and just—treating everyone equally, without favoritism or prejudice. God’s wisdom doesn’t play favorites.

·      It must be sincere. Sincere means genuine and free from pretense or deceit. It’s authentic, heartfelt, and honest.

Therefore

The next time you’re faced with a tough decision—whether in business, family, or faith—ask yourself, “Will this choice produce good fruit?” True wisdom doesn’t just make you look good; it makes you do good. God’s kind of wisdom always results in peace, purity, and fruit that lasts.

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” (Prov. 4:7 KJV)

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5 NIV)

“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” (Prov. 1:5 NIV)

“So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to—your old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, and you must put on the new self, which is created in God’s likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy. (Eph. 4:22–24 NIV)

God Grows Us One Step at a Time

Even though God could work a miracle and change us instantly, He usually chooses to work with us gradually—one step at a time. That’s how Jesus developed the lives of His disciples, and that’s how God led the Israelites to take possession of the Promised Land “little by little,” so they would not be overwhelmed (Deut. 7:22).

Both Negative and Positive Habits Develop Slowly

You don’t get out of shape overnight—physically or spiritually—and you don’t get back into shape overnight either. I learned this personally when my doctor told me I was pre-diabetic and needed to lose weight. It had taken years to gain it, so losing it would also take time. I made a plan and stayed with it. Over a year and a half, I lost sixty pounds—slowly but steadily. The changes came in small increments, but they added up.

Good Character Habits Take Time to Develop

Developing Christlike character works the same way. It takes steady, deliberate practice over time. Your character is the sum total of your habits. You can’t truly claim to be kind unless you are habitually kind. Your habits define your character—there are no instant habits.

Paul encouraged Timothy with these words:

“Practice these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress.” (1 Tim. 4:15)

Therefore

Don’t get discouraged if change seems slow. God’s work in you is not incomplete—it’s in progress. Every small, faithful step you take is shaping you into the likeness of Christ. Stay consistent, stay patient, and trust that God is growing you—one step at a time.

“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Phil. 1:6 NIV)

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Prov. 4:23 NIV)

The heart is regarded as the center of a person’s thoughts and emotions.

In both the Old and New Testaments, the word heart refers to the whole inner person, not merely emotions. The heart includes the mind, will, and emotions—the very core of who we are.

Believers are instructed to:

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.” (Prov. 4:23–26 NIV)

Guarding your heart

When Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, wrote this passage, he was emphasizing the need to protect your inner core—your thoughts, feelings, desires, will, and choices. These determine who you truly are.

The Bible tells us, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Prov. 23:7)

Your mind reflects your true self, not merely your words or outward behavior. That’s why God looks at the heart, not appearances. “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7)

Therefore

Keep your heart healthy by filling it daily with God’s Word and allowing His Spirit to guide your thoughts, emotions, and decisions. When your heart is right, everything else in your life will flow right, to

“For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones.” (Psalm 37:28a)

Many Christians pray something like, “Lord, go with us today,” even though God already promises in His Word that He is always present with us, and that He will never leave or forsake us. Instead, our prayer should be, “Thank You, Lord, for being always with me!”

Here are ten verses from God’s Word that affirm His faithfulness to always be with you:

1. “‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.’”
   (Deut. 31:6)

2. “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
   (Deut. 31:8)

3. “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
   (Joshua 1:5)

4. “May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may He never leave us nor forsake us.”
   (1 Kings 8:57)

5. “David also said to Solomon his son, ‘Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.’”
   (1 Chronicles 28:20)

6. “For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.”
   (Psalm 37:28)

7. “For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.”
   (Psalm 94:14)

8. “The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.”
   (Isaiah 41:17)

9. “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.”
   (Isaiah 42:16)

10. “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”
    (Hebrews 13:5)

Finally, understand this:

When you pray to receive Jesus, He comes to live inside of you. Everywhere you go, He is ever present with you. That is a wonderful promise that brings assurance and comfort.

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Cor. 3:16)

Therefore

Never doubt God’s presence in your life. You are never alone—He is with you always. When others fail, when circumstances overwhelm, when fear creeps in, stand firm in this unshakable promise: God will never leave you nor forsake you.