And we are back to "A"

And so it begins.  Here we sit at the letter A.  Ready to start out on this journey and trusting God for each daily post.  And as I sit here in my house under a "safer at home" request from my state Governor, I can't help but focus on today is the day.

Today is the perfect day to start this challenge.  Today is the perfect day to share a little light.  Today is the perfect day to look to Jesus.  Today is the perfect day to start with the Alpha and the Omega, the Almighty One, the Authority, the Author of our Everlasting Peace, the great I Am.  Today is the perfect day.

So as I start off this challenge, I want to spend some time sitting in the peace that the Almighty Father provides amongst the chaos and I want to share that peace with you.

Regardless of whether we are living in the old normal or this new normal, God is still with each of us.  God is still aware.  God was not surprised.  And God is still giving us a day full of opportunities to see Him, share Him and trust Him.

Each day we are given a fresh start, a clean slate.  Each day is a priceless gift that has been given to you by God.  And with each new day, He expects us to use it wisely for when it is over, it is gone.  As children of the King, we are to use each day to the fullest regardless of our circumstances.  We are to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction.  Instead of grumbling about our circumstances or situation, we should be looking and searching for hidden moments that God has placed within our day.

And these days, while we are all pretty much stuck in our homes with our people, there will be an abundance of opportunities for God to be seen and God to be shared.  God's love never changes, sun up to sun down, He remains constant and the same.  His promises are never changing and never failing.  He has promised to never leave or forsake us.  He has promised to pick us up when we are unable to stand.  He is with each of you within your homes right now.  All you need do is turn your heart to Him.

Only God can provide a peace through the chaos we are all living through.  Only God can keep the fear at bay.  Live a life of Faith OVER Fear.  We are all living in a"new normal" and have
been gifted time.  Time we didn't know we could have ever imagined we could have.  Time to be with our family.  Time to be in the Word.  Time to be in prayer.  Time.

I read a quote recently that I found profoundly fitting for the current situation we find our world in.  "When we reach the end of our strength, wisdom, and personal resources, we enter into the beginning of his glorious provisions." (Patsy Clairmont)

Amidst the craziness happening now in our world, we must turn back to God.  We must remind ourselves that God wasn't surprised.  God has remained constant and on his throne.  God was before this, He is in this and He will get us through this.  What an opportunity He has given us to truly live out our faith over fear.

Yes, I see the numbers and it's staggering.  It breaks my heart as I'm sure it breaks yours, But God.  Is it not amazing how God has stopped an entire world in an effort to turn our eyes upon the great "I Am"?  These days are important days.  These days are days to live your faith out in front of your family.  These days are hard But God gives strength to the weary and the fearful and his grace is overflowing.  Nothing can stop God.

I urge you, turn your hearts to God.  Turn your eyes upon the Author of Everlasting Peace.  God provides a peace that surpasses all understanding.  Only He can carry us through this storm and bring us through the other side.  Only He can comfort those hurting from the sting of loss.  Only He can give you, and all of us courage to face the trials we are enduring.  His hand is over our world, our nation.  Put your trust in Him who is gives us the strength to live courageously.  He is the Alpha and Omega, the Authority over all nations, the Author of Everlasting Peace, the Great I AM.  Turn to Him today, don't wait another moment.  His hand is outstretched and waiting...

"For you, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined.  You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs.  You have caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; but You brought us out to rich fulfillment."  Psalm 66:10-12 NKJV

Father, I lift up our country and our world.  I ask Lord that you would bring us through this affliction to rich fulfillment.  I ask that you heal the hearts of those grieving. I beg of you Lord, please remove this virus, remove this disease and I pray that those that do not know you will see you among the chaos of our world.  Father you are our hope.  You are our provider of peace.  You calm the fears and the storms Lord.  I pray that those that do not know you would turn their hearts to you.  I pray that this be a defining moment for christians to show what a life of faith over fear looks like.  I praise You, Lord, for your constant protection, love and grace.  Thank you for the day you have given us, the opportunities for us to see you and the promise of great things yet to come.  Amen.