​Everyone has expectations.
What you and I expect effects what we experience. Our hopes, dreams, what we anticipate, and look forward to is important.
Today I want to address our expectations of God.
If you are a professing Christian, do you expect God’s best? Honestly, do you expect, hope for, look forward to God’s best for your life?
Three months ago, while I was waiting on the Lord the Holy Spirit whispered to my spirit “Steve, expect God’s best”.  
“Expect God’s best” was significant and timely for me. I was seriously pondering what might happen in the future. Wondering where in the world our mixed-up world was heading and how it would impact me and my loved ones.
The Lord answered my questioning with “Expect God’s best!”
Satan hates the thought of expecting God’s best. The devil knows God’s love is the best of the best.  The evil one’s hatred is the worst of the worst. His strategy is for you and me to expect the worst in life, especially from God.
The world system, that rejects the Kingdom of God, always expects the worst, never the best.  In addition to our soul’s arch enemy and the world, our fallen. sinful nature tends to lean to the worst rather than the best. You and I know we do this at times.
It is too easy and spiritually/emotionally deadly for you and me to think the worse rather than God’s best.
Sound hopeless? Not at all.
I believe expecting God’s best is a choice. A choice followed by discipline to keep choosing to believe God’s best for my life every single day.
How do we know God has His best in mind for us? Romans 8:31-32 is one passage that says so.
“What then shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who is against us.? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up or us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”
I can expect God’s best because He is for me. Nobody can come against me and succeed. A pastor commented “If God is for me, everybody else might as well be!” Amen to that.
God loves me and is for me. He demonstrated that love by sending His own Son, His only Son, Jesus, from heaven to die on a cross to save me from my sins.
God the Father did not withhold His only Son, His best, back from you and me.
When we see Jesus hanging on the Cross and rising from the dead the message is clear from God: this is how much I love you. I gave up my very best or you!
Then verse 32 tells us if God did not hold back Jesus from us, certainly He will “freely give us all things.” All things…. whatever I need to successfully fulfill God’s will for my life.
Because God gave the greater, greatest gift of His Son, I can rest assured He will supply the lesser gifts I need. He loves me that much. Therefore, I can indeed expect His best from Him!  
In verses 33-39 Paul lays out all the worst stuff that can come against you and me. Paul was convinced, completely persuaded that nothing, absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God. Christ’s followers overwhelmingly conquer life because Jesus loves us.
How can you and I not expect God’s best when He has done all of this for us?
Life lesson for me: Expect God’ best no matter what circumstances confront me. Up, down or all around, trust God for His best. God never gives us less than His best. Less than best is not in His character. He calls me to walk by faith in Christ, believing and expecting to receive God’s best!
His love is the best thing I can expect from Him every day. I do not need much more than that!
The best way to know God’s best for your life is to study the Bible.
God’s best is for you today!
I challenge you to confess with your mouth every day “Lord, I expect your best!”.
Experience a great day because you are expecting God’s best!
“My soul waits in in silence for God only, for my hope, expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 62:5
A Word For Your Week: Expect God’s best then rest in Him.

​Moments.
Recently I have written about enjoying the day and enjoying the journey.
Today I will discuss enjoying the moment.
Life journeys are made up of days. Days are about hours and minutes. You and I pay close attention to our time pieces whether it is an old-fashioned clock, Apple Watch or digital time displayed on our I-phones.
Tick tock, tick tock. Hours and minutes tick off. As time marches relentlessly on, what about the moments during the hours and minutes?
A month or so ago, while I was enjoying downtime in our family room with Jo Ann and our dog Daisy, the Lord said to me as clear as the day “Steve, I want you to enjoy the moments of life. This moment.”
Moments matter.
Steve, enjoy the moment. That word has challenged me. Encouraged me to not let moments that matter pass by.
I believe Jesus enjoyed the moments in His life and wants us to enjoy our moments too.
In John 10:1-1 we read the parable of the Good Shepherd. In verse ten, Jesus said “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I came that they might have life and might have it abundantly.”
Satan, the devil, is the thief who would steal, kill and destroy God’s sheep. I believe one of his many dastardly strategies is to steal moments. Minimize the moments God gives us.
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, would have us to savor moments. Abundant life in Christ is about enjoying life’s moments. Life that is abundant recognizes and rejoices in the wonderful moments that make up our life.
Moments like sunrises. Sunsets. Sand between toes on the beach. Significant achievements. Hugs. Revelations from the Lord. Encouraging words. A child’s giggles. Time with friends. Hiking in a forest. A Cardinal’s melodic song. Springtime. Sitting on a mountain top. A warm, furry puppy curled up on your lap.  A baby’s birth. Naps. Favorite foods. Fireplace fires on a cold, wintry night. A warm comforter on the bed. Chocolate! Coffee for you caffeine addicts!
Why don’t you take a moment right now to list some or your cherished moments? You will be surprised how many good moments you can come up with.
Making Moments Matter

• Live in the moment you are loving in.
• Mentally disconnect from other moments, whether past, present or future.
• Be aware of moment busters. Anxiety, worry, fear, disappointment and depression mess up moments.
• Do not let people or things distract you from the moments God gives you.
• Thank God for the moments you get to enjoy. Relive moments that matter and give God glory for them!
• Share moments you have enjoyed with someone who needs encouraged in their life.

 What can cause you to miss the moment? What do you need to do to enjoy your moments?
In the past I have missed the joy of moments that God sent to bless me. Thinking backwards or forward robs us of the current moment. Moments have purpose. A fifteen-minute restful nap is a moment that refreshes and renews. I am currently making a conscious, disciplined effort to enjoy the moment. Maybe take a few more naps too!
I do not want to waste any moments anymore.
Maximize moments by enjoying them.
Enjoying the moment is about focus. Lack of focus obscures the joy of the moment. Soak up the here and now of the moment you are in. If we choose to not enjoy the moment, we might miss the blessings God intended for us that moment.
Store memorable moments in your mind’s memory banks.
When you are older, you will be glad you filed good, heart-warming happy memories in your mental hard-drive. Elderly folks may not remember what they ate for breakfast, but it is remarkable how well they recall memories of moments from the distant past.
My friend, as life moves on, do not miss the moments the Lord gives you to enjoy.
Lord, help us to keep in the moment.
A Word For Your Week: Enjoy the moments of life before they slip away.

​Do you enjoy your Christian life? I mean, really enjoy the journey of faith you are on with the Lord Jesus Christ?
 
I pose this question because too often we Christian’s gripe, grumble, complain and appear unhappy with our life in Christ. Ever been there? Most likely you have like I have. Before we proceed, maybe we should fall on our faces and humbly repent!
 
God wants us to enjoy our life journey.
 
According to Psalm 37:23 our life journey consists of steps that are sovereignly ordered, established by God Himself. “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in the way he takes. “Psalm 37:23
 
Almighty God lays out the path for each of us…. step after step after step.  He planned the days of our lives (steps too!) before there were any (Psalm 139:1-16). Our Heavenly Father is happy with the steps He establishes for His children.
 
Therefore, you and I should delight, take joy in, and be happy about each day and each step.
 
That is right…. every step. Honestly, I like some steps better than others, and so do you. But, if I believe, and I do, that God orders my steps and He is pleased with them, then I should be pleased too with the journey He has appointed for me. 
 
Jesus enjoyed His journey.
 
How do we know? Because the Word of God says so. Jesus came to earth to do the will of His Father. His mission was to reveal the Father to us and restore our relationship with Him. Psalm 40:8 is a prophetic word concerning the attitude of the Lord Jesus.” I delight to do Thy will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8
 
The Lord delighted to do God’s will. Through faith and obedience, He stepped out God’s plan for Him.
 
In Hebrews 12:2, we are told that Jesus enjoyed while He endured. What a powerful truth! Jesus endured the cruel torture of the Cross because His heart and eyes were set on the joy of the journey, resulting in a destination of providing salvation for you and me.
 
Lord Jesus, thank you for enduring some difficult steps that I might enjoy salvation.  
           
 I will ask you again. Are you enjoying your journey?
           
Many of us are infected with Destination Disease. We focus on the end of the journey instead of the journey itself.
 
“Are we there yet?” is not only the cry of antsy children in the back seat on vacation. Too often we are obsessed with the goal, the finish line that we neglect to enjoy the process along the way. We say things like “When I get that promotion”, When I get married”, When I have this much money”, When I fund my retirement account”, and on and on and on.
 
Destination disease can create frustration, disrupt peace and try to steal joy from our hearts.   
 
Maybe we should enjoy the days (one at a time!) God blesses us with as we work toward the desires of our heart that God has given us.
 
Start Enjoying Your Journey
 
·      Stop complaining about your lot in life. Embrace life. Thank God for your life. Laugh more. Life is a lot more fun with a smile on our face.
·      Notice the little blessings along the way. There are lots of them if you will look for them.
·      Dump Destination Disease. Look forward to the journey as much as the end of the journey.
·      Trust God to turn not so good steps around into a delightful journey.
·      Discipline yourself to take steps, not leaps, in life. Step by step is the way God set it up for you and me.
·      Flee from people who dislike their journey. Ran from them as fast as you can so you do not catch what they have!
 
You and I choose to enjoy our journey or not.
 
Enjoying the journey is much better than not enjoying it. Trust me, I have figured that one out after much trial and error over too many years.  My life is more stable, peaceful and joyful because I have learned (and am still learning!) to enjoy my journey in Christ.
 
Begin your day by rejoicing in the day the Lord has made. Look forward with joy to the path He has laid out for you to follow. Step out your daily journey with joy. Jesus is excited about your day…. and you should be too.
 
Enjoy your day as part of the journey God has set before you as you head toward heaven.  
 
“This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
 
A Word For Your Week: Enjoy your journey with Jesus.

​When you awaken from a night’s slumber do you declare “Good morning Lord!” or “Good lord, its morning.”
Are you excited about the possibilities of a new day and ready to leap out of the sack, or would you rather pull the covers back over your head and stay in bed for the day?
How you and I look at the new dawning day is a matter of attitude. How we view the new day influences how our day will go. As we think, so life goes.
Enjoying the day is a decision, not an emotion. You and I may not feel good for some reason. But we can still enjoy the day in spite of our emotional state.
The Psalmist figured out how to get each day off to a good start. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
Rejoicing in the day the Lord has made is a choice…an attitude I choose to have whether others choose to do so nor not. 
This is what David said to help us start our days well too.  
The Lord made today. “This is the day the Lord has made.” Each day is a gracious gift from God. His holy handprint is on today. The new day isn’t made by men. It is handcrafted by Almighty God Himself. Sent from heavenly places for you and me to enjoy.  
Because the Lord made today, I will rejoice in it. “Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”  “Let us” means you and me. I, Steve Roll, will rejoice (not might or think about it later!) and be glad. I will be happy about the new day. I will give heartfelt thanks to God for another sunrise. I will praise Him for another opportunity to live for Him, to love and serve the people in my life.
I made it safely through the night. So, let’s go God and see what you have in store for me today!
Enjoying Every Day

• Let go of yesterday. It is history. Done. Release it. Reach happily for today.
• With the dawn of each new day, look for the potential and opportunity it holds.  
• Expect God to do good things in your life today. Rev up your expecter!
• No matter what your circumstances, you can choose to enjoy the day. Do not allow stress, pressure, tension, challenges, obstacles, setbacks or negative people to rob you of a good day in the Lord.
• Discipline yourself to greet the new day with rejoicing that you are alive and ready to live life to the fullest in Jesus’ name.
• Remind yourself throughout the day you will enjoy your day.
• Whether others enjoy their day or not, you can enjoy yours. Yes you can!

The future is forward. Forward movement is established by enjoying today. And the next day. And the next day. And the next day…….
I encourage you to do this every morning.
After you shake off the bedhead, wipe the cobwebs from your eyes and before you step on the floor, confess with your mouth “This is the day the Lord has made; I, (your name) will rejoice and be glad in it.” Tell the Lord you are excited about the new day, raring to go and ready to see what today holds.
Hop out of bed, carefully of course. Then confidently declare “Watch out world. I expect to have a great day. Here I come in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord.”
A bonus idea. In addition to declaring you will rejoice in the new day, why not ask the Lord “Who can I serve in your name today?” Serving others always makes for a good day!
I have done this for a number of years. This attitude has transformed the way I look at the new day. What a difference it has made on my outlook.  
Three thoughts before I wrap this up.

1. The morning is the most difficult time for people who are depressed. If you struggle with depression, intentionally attack the depression with a positive declaration to enjoy your day. Rejoicing and praising God for a new day will kick despair to the emotional curb.
2.  Maybe yesterday was not the best of days. Some days are like that. Guess what? Today is a new day. Receive, rejoice and enjoy today. Put yesterday in the rearview mirror or your life. 
3.  Practice what I shared for three weeks. That’s right. Each day for twenty one days.  Believe me you will have a whole new perspective on getting up in the morning and starting your day!

Choose to enjoy your day. You, and people you live with, will be glad you did!
A Word For Your Week: Embrace and enjoy every day the Lord gives you.

​I am an old-timer who still uses a Day-Timer as my calendar.
I feel extremely comfortable and secure writing out my daily, weekly, and monthly schedule by hand in my personal calendar. Old-fashioned? Indeed, and proud of it!  And guess what?  Steve Roll is ready if the internet crashes.
My pen and paper will save my bacon while techy, electronic calendar people panic because their schedules vanish to some cloud in a high-tech galaxy far, far away.
In January, as I began thinking and praying about what will fill the pages of my Daytimer for the next three hundred and sixty-five days, the Lord spoke to my heart. The Holy Spirit quietly whispered to me “Live a day at a time in 2021.”
A day at a time. Not a few days, a week or weeks, a month or months, or a year. One single day at a time Steve.
What a fresh word of revelation for 2021, especially after 2020.  I needed to hear that. I tend to get ahead of today. Maybe you do too. You and I seem to be wired to drive life’s train way down the tracks when our Father in heaven would beckon us to back up the train to live for today.
GOD IS A TODAY GOD.
Have you ever thought about that? God’s love for you and me is all about today. This day. The one we are living. Right now. He loves us a day at a time.
Of course, the Almighty knows the end from the beginning and the beginning from the end. His domain is an endless eternity where time is non-existent, and yet, according to Psalm 139:16, God knows about every day you and I will live, even before we live them.
 “Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Thy book they were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.”
If for some reason as you read this, you don’t feel extremely special, valuable, of immense worth and importance, and uniquely significant, then think again. God saw you before you were and has laid out your days before you ever had a Day-Timer or I-phone. How awesome you and I are, and what an awesome God we serve!
I believe God would have us focus on each day of the “days” laid out for us in His eternal plan.
Jesus addressed the issue of today in Matthew 6:25-34. Four times He commands His followers to “not be anxious” (worry) about life. Instead, have faith that God will always be faithful to provide the basics of life that we need.
His faithfulness is revealed one day at a time. Daily provision is God’s promise. All the days of our life, one day at a time, God takes care of His kids!
Verse 34 speaks volumes to me about my attitude. After exhorting His listeners to put God’s righteousness and kingdom first (assuring them God would provide all they would ever need) He says “Therefore, do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
I get that part where each day has enough trouble of its own!
I am sure you do too. Jesus says don’t borrow tomorrow’s troubles because today, the one you are living at this time, has enough trouble of its own. That is why the Lord teaches us to live for today. Look to God to help you deal with today’s troubles.
A day at a time is the way God set it up. Thank God for that. He knows one day of trouble is all about this guy can handle!
Sometimes I think I am spiritually thick-headed. Slowly but surely, I am figuring this out after sixty-eight years of loving that I experience less stress and possess greater potential for success when I focus my faith on today, not tomorrow and tomorrows.
2021 is made up of one day at a time. That’s the way our Creator set it up. Today, a day at a time, is what God has ordained for us to live for His glory and the good of mankind.
A day at a time looks something like this.

• Love the Lord with all of your heart, mind soul and strength. Put God first in everything.
• Be single-minded, unwavering and unashamed of your faith in Christ.
• Share the Good News with those who are seeking the Savior.
• Work hard at your job. Be the best employer or employee in your organization.
• Let your loved ones know every day that you love them. Extend them affection and attention.
• Serve those who God puts in your path who cannot serve you back.
• Life your life to the fullest today. Do not hold anything back for any reason.
• Thank God for today when you awake in the morning and retire for the night.

Today matters. It is the only day you and I have. We may think we have tomorrow. But until tomorrow arrives and becomes the next today, we only have today!
Enjoy the moments of each day.
Maybe you should consider living 2021 a day at a time. Embrace. Experience. Enjoy each day that comes as a gracious gift from a good God.  
“So teach us to number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12
A Word For Your Week: Live today like it is the only day you have.

​Humans love to boast.
 
To boast means to brag, congratulate oneself, show off, crow about, toot our own horn, pat ourselves on the back, strut, flaunt, let others know how awesome we are.
 
Who doesn’t like to boast about their accomplishments, conquests, victories and success? When you win, you brag, right? When you lose, not so much!
 
Boasting can be good if we boast about the right things. But most of the time our boasting is misdirected.
 
Our subject for this devotional is boasting. More precisely, what to boast about and what not to boast about. Our culture is confused when it comes to boasting. Many arrogant, narcissistic, self-promoting folks boast about things that should not be boasted about.    
 
My friends, God has a timeless and timely word for us that we desperately need to heed today regarding boasting.
  
The prophet Jeremiah gives us clear biblical guidance concerning proper boasting.
 
“Thus says the Lord, “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises loving-kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth: for I delight in these things, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23-24
 
“Thus says the Lord” means Almighty God has something serious to say and we better pay attention to it. Our Creator and Redeemer is THE EXPERT on human affairs. He knows what He is talking about in every dilemma man finds himself.  
 
Inspired by the Spirit of God, Jeremiah spells it out clearly. Man is not (“Let not”) to boast in his wisdom, his power or his wealth. Mankind, including you and me, is not to boast in who he is, what he has and what he can do.
 
Truth be told, man’s wisdom, might and money will never bring peace to men’s hearts and the world they live in. No matter how smart you think you are, how much money you have in the bank, or what power position you hold, boasting about you is boasting in vain.
 
Boasting in humanity, regardless of how many tout themselves as supposed “authorities” and “experts”, is short-lived and never ends well.   
 
You and I are to boast in the Lord.
 
The creature is to give glory to His Creator, not himself. We are to boast in who the Lord is and what He does. The key to proper boasting lies in understanding and knowing God. When you read the op-eds (opinion editorials) in the secular press and listen to the babbling bobbleheads in the media, they all contain a glaring omission: The Lord and His Word on matters is conspicuously left out.
 
The Lord Himself is the answer to our world’s woes. How do I know? The Word says so. You and I are to boast in the Lord’s loving-kindness, justice and righteousness.
 
“Loving-kindness, justice, and righteousness” come from Him. This is what our weary, lost world needs most. These three virtues answer the cry of human hearts everywhere.  I love this holy trio of godly virtues, don’t you? 
 
Jeremiah tells us that God delights (takes pleasure) in these things. You and I should delight in what the Lord delights in. We are to take pleasure in His lovingkindness, justice and righteousness. Just as He does.
 
In my heart of hearts I long to delight in lovingkindness, justice and righteousness as my Lord and Savior does.  
 
In this historic hour in human history, all of us must sincerely humble ourselves before the Lord. We do not need what man can do. The evidence of man’s expertise is readily and sadly evident. You and I must search for and receive by faith what only Almighty God can do to save our souls, families, nation and world.  
 
If you want to feel safe and secure today, turn off the tube and tune into God’s Word. Unplug media. Get the information and inspiration you need from the Bible, not the anti-Christ, anti-biblical words of the world. It does make a difference what you feed your spirit with.  
 
Beloved, fellow Christian do not fear what man is doing. Beware of bragging about what man brags about. Reverence Almighty God. Stand in awe of Him and His holiness.  Humble yourself. Choose to do His good, acceptable and perfect will. (See Romans 12:1-2).  
 
It is a biblical fact: people who boast in anyone or anything but the Lord will end up toast in the long run!
 
Who are your boasting in? Yourself, other people, or the Lord?
 
Make it a personal priority to boast in the Lord in 2021.
 
“But he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord, for not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.”                             II Corinthians 10:17
 
“Some boast in chariots, and some boast in horses, but we will boast in the name of the Lord our God.”                                                                             Psalm 20:7
 
A Word For Your Week: Make your boast in the Lord and what He boasts about.

​Quietness. Confidence. Strength.
           
I vote for all three of the above in my Christian life. How about you?
 
Isaiah 30:15 states “In quietness and confidence will be your strength.”
 
Christians everywhere desire to be strong. You and I should be strong in the Lord. But how do we do that? Are there keys to experiencing Christ’s strength in our daily lives?
 
I believe there are. Two of these keys appear in our verse for this week.
 
The Lord gave me this devotional while I was happily perched on a jagged rock in the woods overlooking a scenic lake near my home. I go often to this secluded place to hide out and be alone with the Lord.
 
In this natural setting the only distractions are cool breezes, warm sunshine, singing cardinals, an occasional, furry tailed squirrel crossing the trail, majestic hawks soaring overhead, frolicking fish jumping in the blue-green water and flocks of geese honking their way to their next destination. The setting is so wonderfully quiet that all I can hear is my heartbeat. I love it!
 
Why do I go to this off the beaten path place? I need quietness in my life. This refuge of near deafening silence restores my soul.
 
Have you noticed how busy and loud life is? Life screams at us at every turn, drowning out quiet times and silent moments that restore our soul and renew our strength.
 
Think about it. When was the last time you had a computer free, I-phone less, text message, Twitter free moment or two? How long has it been since you sat silently, that’s right silently, quietly and listened for God’s voice?
 
Isaiah tells us that IN quietness and confidence is our strength. Our strength comes from times of quietness before the Lord where our confidence is renewed in Him. James 4:8 invites us to “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”  Life has a way of wearing us down and burning us out.
 
 You and I need to draw near to hear the still, quiet voice of God. The Holy Spirit speaks and is heard best when we are not distracted by other voices.
 
Too often many of us experience weakness in our Christian life because we do not quiet ourselves before the Lord and wait on Him to renew our confidence and strength.
 
It is way too easy to excuse ourselves from the discipline of waiting on the Lord in quietness and confidence. Our enemy Satan loves it when we run and gun, scurry and hurry down the road of life, neglecting times of stillness and quietness before God where our souls are restored. The devil delights in you and me running on empty, hanging in there, merely surviving, hoping to get through another day. That is not the abundant life the Lord Jesus came to give us (John 10:10).
 
You and I rob our souls of restoration, renewal and revival when we refuse to be still before the Lord. 
 
I want to suggest to you that if you do not have quiet times with the Lord, you will not be a confident Christian and you will lack strength for the day’s battle.
 
Here are some simple, time-proven ideas for being quiet before the Lord.
 

• Set aside regular time to get alone with the Lord.
• Retreat to a place with minimal distraction. A secret hideout.
• Take your Bible, a pen and paper.
• Turn off all technology. No cell phones, I-pads, e-mails or Tweets! You need to hear from God more than you need to hear from friends on Facebook or Twitter.
• Pray and ask the Lord to help you clear your mind from stuff! You know what I mean!
• Don’t talk. That’s right. Be quiet. Listen. Listen, listen, listen. You might be surprised at what you might hear if you discipline yourself to listen.
• Sit, walk, and enjoy sweet fellowship with the Lord in a setting that soothes your soul, renews your mind and strengthens your spirit.

 
I met with someone recently who is burned out. Life is not fun right now. They said that they have trouble being still. I told them that trouble always follows those who do not take time to be still before the Lord.
 
Burnout or strength. The choice is ours. 
 
Strength comes from quietness and confidence in the Lord.  
           
 “Be still (quiet) and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
 
“He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet (still) waters; He restores my soul.”                                                                                        Psalm 23:2-3a
 
A Word For Your Week: Be quiet in Christ to be strong.

One of Satan’s chief strategies is to trap and keep people in a state of confusion, frustration, disorder and unrest in their souls.
 
The enemy of our soul knows that when you and I are restless, we lack composure and confidence in dealing with life’s difficulties. Satan takes advantage of people who “lose it” and “fall apart” under trial. 
 
Trials turn into triumph when we trust in the Lord.
 
Read Psalm 131. (Only three verses!) David reminds God’s people to trust in Him with childlike trust.  
 
Victory over the enemy and adversity comes through a calm, composed, confident, Christ-like response to the evil one’s assault.
 
In verse 1, David confesses that his heart is not arrogant, his eyes are not full of pride, and that he doesn’t go after things that are too difficult for him. The clear inference is that he keeps himself humble and trusts in the Lord to help him handle life’s hassles.
 
In verse 2, David paints a precious, priceless picture of a mother and nursing child. “Surely I have composed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child rests against his mother.”  
 
There is nothing sweeter or more peaceful than the angelic face of a little baby resting close to its mother after being fed. A weaned child’s serene countenance conveys innocence, peace, composure and dependence. A confident trust that mother will always be present to meet the dependent child’s needs.  
 
In verse 3 David states in verse 3 “my soul is like a weaned child within me.” Wow! Did you catch what he said? God’s children can be like a nursing/weaned child on the inside when life on the outside is challenging and chaotic. How can this be possible?
 
David tells us how. He states that “I” have “composed and quieted my soul”. The psalmist was proactive in times of difficulty. When tempted to fall apart under pressure, he got quiet and composed himself. God did not quiet him down or hit him with a wave of composure. David quieted himself before the Lord.  He composed himself (got his act together in a peaceful manner) and received confidence from the presence of God.
 
David composed and quieted himself—and so must we. No one can quiet my soul for me. I must do it. The peace of God is mine when I draw close to the God of peace. 
 
In verse 3, David exhorts Israel to “hope in the Lord”. This hope in the Lord is for today and every day. God’s people can always hope in the Lord when they put child-like trust in Him and the promises of His Word.
 
What does Psalm 131 have to do with me and living as a Christian in 2021? Everything.
 
We live in a frantic, frenetic, frustrating time that knows very little of composure and quietness. Run and gun is the order of the day. Hurry and scurry produce worry and fury. When we rush, we can’t hear the hush of God.      
           
The Lord is in the quiet places of life.
 
Psalm 23:2-3 states that our Shepherd leads us by still, not raging waters. There He restores our souls. The still, small voice of the Lord is what the distressed prophet Elijah needed to hear on the mountainside when he was depressed (I Kings 19:12).
 
Quiet and rest produces composure, confidence, and courage to seek and receive God’s best.
 
Bottom line: You and I need soul rest to avoid burnout and breakdown. Quietness before the Lord is tremendous therapy.
 
THERE IS POWER IN QUIET CONFIDENCE.
 
Three Simple Steps to Quiet Confidence
 
1. Get alone with God daily for fifteen minutes. Absolutely no distractions. (Cell phones included!) Use the time to listen for His still, small voice.
 
2. Read a soothing Psalm each day. Begin with Psalms 100-150. God’s Word will refresh, restore and renew your soul.
 
3. Write down a few thoughts from your quiet time with God. Review and reflect upon them when life’s stress level rises.
 
Our hope and help are in the Lord. That is why you and I can handle life with composure and quiet confidence.
 
Make a decision to arrange your lifestyle so that you walk by faith in quiet confidence.  
 
“In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15
 
“In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have refuge.” Proverbs 14:26
 
A WORD FOR YOUR WEEK: Get quiet before God, soak up His love, and then walk in quiet confidence throughout your day.

​Life can be loud.
Noise bombards our senses continually, wearing us down spiritually, mentally and emotionally.  
It seems like someone is shouting or screaming about something doesn’t it?  
Cultural issues. The boss. Newscasts. Advertisements. Economic forecasts. Social media. Music. Entertainment. Relationship tensions. Even church. Life seems loudly out of control at times.
Negative noise disrupts our personal peace, leaving us edgy, agitated and uptight.
What can you and I do to silence the negative noise that disturbs quietness and tranquility? It is a question I have been asking myself for a few months.  
In the Old Testament, the prophet Zephaniah records a tremendous truth about God in chapter 3, verse 17. How many of you will admit that you have not visited the book of Zephaniah in quite some time? The two “Zs”, Zephaniah and Zachariah are two scriptural gems in the Bible.
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy. He will be quiet in His love. He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”
What a wonderful word for weary souls! God is with us as a victorious warrior who rejoices and exults over us with shouts of joy! I really like knowing that God is a victorious warrior who rejoices over me with shouts of joy! God is all of that because He is quiet in His love.
God’s love is quiet, never noisy. Think about it. The noise of the world does not disrupt God’s love or peace. Our Maker remains calm, cool and collected when we are falling apart!  I am so grateful that the Lord does not panic when I do. He is never upset by the craziness of mankind. When we are restless, He rests, quietly in His love.
I believe the Lord wants you and me to rest quietly in His love. God’s unconditional love drowns out life’s noise. His quiet love quiets our restless souls.
The picture I have in my mind is of my Heavenly Father quietly loving me, settling me down when I need it. I get it. I am a father and grandfather. More times than I can recount, I have comforted my little ones, and not so little ones now, when they were upset, thinking their whole world was falling apart. You parents know what I am talking about!
How did I quiet them down? I loved on them. I took them in my arms. Sat them on my lap (when small). Cuddled them up. Soothed them with calm, quiet, reassuring words that everything would be all right. I always let them know how much God loves them and that He would help them.
Eventually, depending on the magnitude of their perceived crisis, they would slowly but surely settle down. My quiet love for them helped them overcome the “noise” troubling them.
God loves on us with His quiet love.
Psalm 23:1-2 states “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters.”
The Lord Jesus Christ is our Shepherd. His sheep, you and me, will never want for anything. There are times when we sheep are beside ourselves. Because He loves us, He makes us lie down in green pastures, and He leads us beside still, quiet waters.
Green pastures. Still, quiet waters. A soul-soothing picture of rest, refreshing, renewal and restoration for restless hearts.   
Isn’t it amazing how much God loves you and me? John 3:16 says it all. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, will not perish, but have everlasting life.” Oh my, God loves you and me so much that He sent and sacrificed His only Son for our sins so we could be saved and spend eternity with Him in heaven.
For me, salvation quiets my mind and heart like nothing else can. Incredible. Words are hollow and shallow to express how I feel that Jesus died for me so I could live with my Father in heaven who is quiet in His love. I agree with the words of John Newton, writer of the most beloved Christian song of all time “Amazing Grace”, said  “I know two things: I am a great sinner. I have a great Savior.” That’s Steve Roll too.   
In 2021, I want to be used by the Lord to help stressed out, restless, upset, hurting, spiritually lost people find the One who will quiet them with His love.
My Christian friends now is a great opportunity in our culture to share our faith with searching souls. Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ is the answer we need for time and eternity. The noise of the world needs to be drowned out by the Good News of Jesus Christ!
Today at my home church we sang a song called “Raise A Hallelujah!” The chorus exhorts believers to “Sing a little louder, Sing a little louder.” Christians, lets sing a little, a lot louder, and raise a Hallelujah to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let’s sing so loud that our positive noise negates the negative noise of the world.
Those of us who have benefited from God’s quiet love are called to share Gods’ unconditional love with lost souls. Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls.”  
 Today, tune out some noise. Be quiet in God’s love. Bask your soul in the sunshine of His lovingkindness. Sing the song of salvation a little louder in your circle of relationships.
Share your faith with someone who would love to know that God loves them!
“The Lord appeared to him from afar, saying, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore, I have drawn you with lovingkindness.” Jeremiah 31:3
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
“See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God, and such we are.” I John 3:1
A Word For Your Week: God’s love quiets restless hearts.