Satisfy Your Soul

Have you ever been so thirsty your tongue stuck to the roof of your mouth? Have you been thirsty enough you thought you would faint? Have you thought your soul can be thirsty? Do you know there is One who can satisfy your thirst?

We all get thirsty. Our bodies need water to survive. The more active we are the more water we need. We may experience times when water isn’t readily available. Or we may get busy and forget to drink water. At those times, our bodies will remind us of its need for water.

Our souls also need to be satisfied. Just as our bodies need water, our souls need the Spirit of God. There is only One who can give our souls what it craves—Jesus Christ. He has called us to Him. He has told us He will give us what we crave. He will satisfy our souls with His Spirit.

Jesus can and will satisfy the thirst of our souls. He promised to give us the Holy Spirit. He promised to send us a Helper. He promised to send us a Counselor. He promised to send us a Guide. He promised the Holy Spirit would flow through us to the point of overflowing, if we will simply accept Him as Lord and Savior, committing our lives to Him.

I pray we all commit our lives to Jesus. I pray we accept Him as our Lord and Savior. I pray we allow Jesus to satisfy the thirst our souls have for the Spirit of God. Satisfy your thirst. Commit to Jesus. Accept Jesus as Lord. Accept Jesus as Savior. Receive the Holy Spirit. Overflow with the Spirit.

John 7:37-39 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Jesus Heals

Are you in search of healing? Do you have a physical injury or ailment you are seeking relief from? Are you suffering from a disease or illness for which you desire a cure? Is your spirit in need of being made whole from a broken countenance? Have you earnestly turned to Jesus?

Injuries happen to all of us. They range from broken bones to torn muscles. In most cases, we heal physically, at least enough to function again. Many diseases are overcome with medicines and rest. We receive a shot and/or pills to combat the disease. The antibodies in our system fight off the illness more effectively with rest.

Yet, there are some injuries, ailments, diseases, and illnesses we do not fully recover from. We chalk it up to “just the way things are.” Sure, we are disappointed, but resign ourselves to the thought that there is nothing we can do. But there is. We can go to Jesus. He still heals physical ailments. Despite what we may think, He does so as often today as He did when He walked the earth. We simply don’t hear about them, or we don’t credit them to Him.

Jesus really loves to heal the broken spirit. He longs to be asked to come into a person’s life to heal them on the inside. He sends His Spirit to us. He heals our spirit. Jesus is our perfect Healer. He is the master Physician. He is the consummate Counselor. He is the true Mender of our lives.

You have asked and not received healing, you may say. Have you continued to ask? Have you asked with an earnest heart? Jesus does not heal every physical ailment. He will heal every spiritual ailment if we give Him our heart. Make no mistake about it, Jesus is in the business of healing, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual.

I pray we all turn to Jesus for healing. I pray we ask Him repeatedly to heal us of our ailments. I pray each one of us turn our entire heart over to Him and ask for Him to lift our spirits. Jesus heals physical infirmities. Jesus heals our minds. Jesus heals our spirits. Turn to Him. Ask for healing repeatedly. Trust Jesus to heal you.

Luke 7:22-23 So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

Strengthen Your Heart

Are there times when you feel helpless? Do you feel as though you are a fifth wheel? Do you think you are being left out because you have nothing to contribute? Are you in a situation in which you do not know how you will get through it?

We all face situations for which we feel ill equipped to handle. There are times when we feel as though we don’t fit in. We may be struggling through a time of meagerness. Our outlook may be bleak. We may be wondering aimlessly, looking for direction.

When we face times of trial, we long for someone to lend a helping hand. There is good news for those who follow Jesus. He provides the assistance we need. He strengthens us so we can face difficulties. He sends others to help. His timing is perfect, even if we don’t always think so.

I have seen God provide the money needed to make a mortgage payment. One instance was when a husband had become extremely ill and could not work. The wife was trying to make ends meet on her paycheck, but she couldn’t stretch the dollar far enough. She came to the church where she was a member and presented her situation to the leadership. They decided to bring it before the congregation, providing them an opportunity to help a fellow Christian.

One of the leaders presented the opportunity to give but did not disclose the amount needed. A special collection was taken up. After the collection was counted, there was twenty dollars more than she needed. God worked through the people, encouraging each person to give what they could, and provided for the need.

When we feel ill equipped, helpless, or in dire need, our first person to cry out to should be God. He will direct us, just as he directed the woman above. God works through people, especially the church, to lift us up out of the drudgery of life.

I pray we all reach out to God to be strengthened. I pray we take our weakness to him. I pray each one of us will bring our needs before the church and trust God to strengthen our hearts. Reach out to God. Trust God to help. Trust God to strengthen. Follow Jesus. Know God is always with you.

1 Thessalonians 3:13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

A Perfect Place

Are you looking for a better place? Do you long to be in a better situation? Are you someone who works toward goals? Or are you a person who works out of love? Do you know there is a better place? Do you know God has prepared it for you?

Many of us long for something better. We seek better jobs. We strive to make our living situation better. We work to provide a better home for our kids. Sometimes we work to achieve goals. At other times, we work to provide for our families because we love them deeply.

When God created us, he put within us a desire for something better. We live in a world full of strife. We long for something better. We desire a place of peace and rest. Rest is something many of us lack. That kind of rest can only be experienced briefly when we spend quiet time with God. Our ultimate rest will come when we spend eternity with God.

We see glimpses of beauty in this world. We see it in the majestic mountains, the blooming of spring flowers, the graceful leaping of a deer over a fence, or a colorful sunset. But these glimpses don’t last. We hold them in our memory to remind us, but we cannot hold the moment forever.

There is a beauty coming that will last forever. The eternal home for those who follow God will be a beautiful place created by God. We see poetic descriptions that struggle to come close to its beauty in the Bible. However, they fall short of fully describing the beauty we will see.

I pray we all work out of the love we have for God. I pray we desire to experience the beauty of eternity with him. I pray each one of us appreciate the glimpses of God’s beauty we see on this earth. Look forward to eternity with God. Take notice of the beauty God created. Know God has prepared a place for you. Trust God’s promises.

Revelation 21:1-2 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

A Banner for the People

Have you ever rallied to a banner? Have you chosen to follow a flag? Do you follow a flag today? Is it because the flag represents an ideal, title, or a person? Have you chosen the wrong banner at some point in your life?

Many of us rally to a particular flag. The flag may represent a specific organization. It may represent a country. It may represent a military unit. It may represent a team. There is a better banner to rally to.

In the last days, Jesus will be the banner for all of us to rally to. He will be the One who will take us into a place of eternal rest. He will claim His own and provide an eternal home for each person who has chosen Him as their Lord and Savior.

The plan has been put in motion. It was prophesied hundreds of years before Jesus was born. It was prophesied again after He rose from the grave. God has told us through His Word what His plan is. He has told us of the ultimate victory. He has told us the end game. The only question remaining is, Will we choose to be included in His plan?

Make no mistake about it. It is our choice. We can choose an eternity of love, peace, and joy. Or we can choose to defy Him and suffer eternal punishment. God desires us to rally to His banner, the Root of Jesse, Jesus Christ.

I pray we all choose to rally to God’s banner. I pray we choose to follow Jesus. I pray each one of us will accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, resulting in an eternity with God. Choose wisely. Choose the Root of Jesse. Choose Jesus Christ. Choose Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Rally to Jesus.

Isaiah 11:10 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.

Active Waiting

Are you tired of all the violence? Are you tired of hearing about it on the news? Are you filled to the point of exploding yourself? Do you wish there was a way to stop it? Do you know there will be a time when it does stop? Are you looking forward to that time?

We hear about violence every day in the news. It may be an armed robbery, an attack on an individual, or a mass shooting. We have almost become numb to hearing about these atrocities. We wonder why we do not hear good news stories in the news.

Well, there is good news. God has planned for and will establish a time when there is no more violence. His plan is in progress. Only he knows when that time will come, but rest assured it is coming. There will be a time of no more sadness, tears, frustration, anger, hatred, nor violence.

We are currently in a time of waiting. In theological terms it is called Advent. We acknowledge this time of waiting specifically one time per year—the four Sundays prior to Christmas. But we are in waiting every day of every week of every month of every year of our lives, until Jesus returns.

During the Advent season, we acknowledge the period of time the Jews were waiting for the Messiah to come. He came, lived, taught, was crucified, and rose again. We now await His return. Jesus has promised to come back. Through the prophet Isaiah, God promised there will be a time when there is no more violence. When Jesus returns, that time will have come. What can we do while we wait? Tell people about Jesus and change as many lives as we can. Waiting does not mean inactivity.

I pray we all look forward to the time of no move violence. I pray we seek to actively wait for Jesus’ return. I pray each of us tell others about Jesus and change lives for the better. Know that God has a plan. Know that peace will come. Actively wait. Tell others about Jesus.

Isaiah 11:9

They will neither harm nor destroy 

on all my holy mountain, 

for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord

as the waters cover the sea.

Animals In Eternity

Do you have a pet you love? Do you long to keep them with you forever? Have you ever wondered if there will be animals in heaven? Have you heard people mention “doggy heaven?” Is there a biblical basis for people believing animals will be with them after this life?

We see many people who have pets that are loved as family members. Some take their pets with them everywhere they go, including the grocery store, department store, and vacations. Some of these pets are not just pets but working animals—emotional support animals.

Let’s cover the uncomfortable news first. There is no biblical evidence there are animals in heaven. When heaven is mentioned, the only living beings included are God the Father, God the Son, angels, and the saints (followers of God).

Now let’s move on to the good news. Heaven is not the end state. God will create a new heaven and new earth (Rev. 21:1). In this new earth there will be animals. Not only will there be animals, but they will all be tame or domesticated. There will be no carnivorous animals. There will be no hunter animals. Though these animals are natural predators in this life, they will not be predators in the new earth.

The biblical evidence points to the possibility, and perhaps probability, that pets will be with us in the new earth. God created the animals to be our helpers (Gen. 2:19). Even if our pets may be more than helpers today, God has put them here for a purpose and will put animals in the new earth as well.

I pray we all read God’s Word. I pray we understand God’s plan for eternity. I pray each one of us understand animals are meant to be our helper and we will see animals in the new earth. Read God’s Word. Understand God’s plan. Know there will be animals in eternity. Know God created animals to be our helper. Care for your pets.

Isaiah 65:25

“The wolf and the lamb will feed together, 

and the lion will eat straw like the ox, 

and dust will be the serpent’s food. 

They will neither harm nor destroy 

on all my holy mountain,” 

says the Lord.

Big Things, Little Things

Do you worry about the little things? Do you meticulously pick apart the smallest things done by someone else? Are you ignoring the bigger things? Have you forgotten to pursue the heart of God? Do you know what God wants from you?

There are times when we get all worked up over the tiniest of things. It can be as small as someone leaving a pen laying on our desk. It may be that a sock fell from the laundry basket and was left laying on the floor. Do not misunderstand, attention to detail has its place, but God desires more from us.

Jesus addresses the incorrect focus of the religious leaders of the day. In short, He says they get wrapped around the axel about the small things while neglecting the big things—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Those leaders were caught up in demanding people properly give their tithes while ignoring what mattered to the heart of God.

Do we do the same? Do we spend more time fretting over tiny things and forget what hurts God’s heart? I wish I could say we don’t. Unfortunately, I see it nearly every day. I see it in the daily news. I hear it in the stories of others. Sometimes I witness it firsthand. I even catch myself doing it.

Jesus tells us to stop worrying about the little things. He tells us to seek the things God is concerned about. We are to seek justice for all (our Pledge of Allegiance says we do). We are to show mercy, especially to those who honestly admit they have done wrong and seek to change their ways. We are to be faithful to God in all we do and say. God desires these from us, without neglecting the small things in our lives.

I pray we all seek to follow God’s heart. I pray we seek justice, mercy, and faithfulness. I pray each one of us will pursue following Jesus’ example and teachings in our lives. Seek justice. Show mercy. Be faithful in all you do. Speak faithfully always. Follow God’s commands. Follow Jesus’ example.

Matthew 23:23-24 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.”

Fear the Lord

Are there things you are afraid of? Do you fear being alone in the dark? Do you fear wild animals? Is there someone you know whom you fear? Do you understand your fear? Do you know there is someone else you should fear?

We all have fears. For some it is darkness and the sounds we hear, imagined or not. For others it is the fear of an animal. Still others fear the bully, whether on the playground or in the office. Yet we all should have a healthy fear of the Lord.

What is a healthy fear of the Lord? Opposed to the other fears listed above, it does not only entail being afraid, though that is a proper reaction when in his holy presence. No, it includes being in awe of God and his mighty power. It includes respecting him and learning his ways. It includes appreciating that God is our maker and he rules the earth, whether we want to believe it or not.

God doesn’t need us, but he wants us. God can do anything he desires without us, but he wants to include us in his work. God has a plan for each of us, but we can decline the opportunity to go along with his plan. God has designed us with free will, an opportunity to make choices of our own—good or bad.

Fearing God doesn’t mean we shake in our boots at the mention of his name. It does mean we sit up tall and listen when he speaks, much like we do when mom or dad speak. It means we seek to learn from him and acknowledge his wisdom is far greater than our own. God wants us to be with him forever, we have a choice to make.

I pray we all fear God. I pray we are in awe of God and respect him. I pray each one of us will sit up and listen closely when God speaks, whether through his written Word or his whisper in our ear. Fear God. God is awesome. Be in awe of God. God is almighty. Respect God. God is far wiser. Listen to God. God has a plan for you.

Psalm 34:9-11

Fear the Lord, you his holy people, 

for those who fear him lack nothing. 

The lions may grow weak and hungry, 

but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. 

Come, my children, listen to me; 

I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

God’s Counsel

Have you ever sought counsel? Have you sought the advice of someone more learned? Do you ask others for advice when you find yourself in a situation in which you do not know what to do? Has there been times when there was no one to turn to? Would like to know there is someone always available?

We all experience times when we feel as though we have nowhere to turn for advice. We feel as though we are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Our minds race. We long for wise advice from someone, anyone. We may even feel desperate.

I remember a time when I felt completely helpless. I was moving from Virginia to Illinois—the next day! I had a lot of things to get packed into a trailer. My main household effects had been packed and loaded by a moving company. But I had a bunch of stuff that wasn’t being moved by them. The sun was about to set, and I felt completely overwhelmed.

As I stood in my driveway looking at the trailer and thinking about all that had to be loaded, my countenance fell. I looked up, held my hands up, and asked God how I was going to get it all done and get a few hours’ sleep for the long drive. A still, small voice in my head simply said, “Do the next thing.” I have no doubt it was God whispering to me. It all got done and I got some sleep.

God provides us counsel. He not only provides it when we are desperate, but at all times, if we will just reach out to him. I found it is better to seek his counsel whether things are going well or they are going badly. He is always there. I have also found that it is best to heed his counsel, even if it isn’t what I want to hear. He knows best.

I pray we all seek God’s counsel. I pray we seek him in good times and in bad times. I pray each one of us will heed his advice, trusting that he knows what is best for us. Always seek God’s counsel. Heed God’s advice. Trust God. Experience God’s goodness.

Psalm 32:8-9

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; 

I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. 

Do not be like the horse or the mule, 

which have no understanding 

but must be controlled by bit and bridle 

or they will not come to you.