How would you describe your life right now?  Hectic? Stressful? Overwhelmed? We’ve all been there, haven’t we?  There are a lot of ways to describe our lives, but I’m guessing that centered might not be on the list for most.  Yet, God desires that our lives be centered in Him.

God’s hedge of protection is described in some translations like a protective wall, a fence or even force field, shielding our lives, property and possession.  In fact, Satan stood before God to accuse Job of being devoted to God for purely self-serving motives.

There’s something about this verse that leaps off the page at me and gives me comfort and encouragement.  It affirms the value of deep, abiding friendships that share a common purpose and passion – friendships that you can lean on in difficult times.

“Friend, come up higher.” What a gracious invitation Jesus offers every Christ follower! Picture a wedding banquet where a guest may take a lesser seat, only to be noticed by the host and invited to move up to the head table as the guest of honor!

Jesus Christ is the believers’ advocate before God! He’s the only defense attorney that’s never lost a case! In this cosmic courtroom, God the Father is the Judge. Satan is the accuser, and everyone who has ever lived is on trial. Who in the world could ever be found innocent when we’ve all sinned and come short of the glory of God?

Even a sincere heart can fall captive to selfish ambition. There’s a fine line between seeking great things for God and promoting ourselves along the way. Pride causes us to take the credit for what God and others made possible in our lives. Are you led by selfish ambition or spiritual anointing? How can we know?

Adjusting to a new normal can be difficult to navigate, even in the best of situations. Leaving home for the first time, getting married, having children, settling in to a new job, dealing with long-term disabilities, a divorce, loss or death – all of these can be the reality of a new normal.

If God desires for us to know Him, it only makes sense that He would want us to know His plans. Throughout Scripture, you will see a pattern of God speaking through the prophets to warn His people of imminent danger.

“Ask Me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.” Jeremiah 33:3 (NLT) I call this verse, The Divine Invitation.  Think about it.  Originally given to the prophet Jeremiah, when under arrest and confined to the courtyard of the guard in Jerusalem, this challenge came from God Himself!

King David wrote, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” Psalm 122:1 (NLT) Is that your attitude toward worship? Do you worship with gladness?