Brian Mark Weller

In times like these, some believers in Jesus Christ are struggling with uncertainty and worry. Many hearts seem to be overwhelmed with what's going on in the news. They are giving way to fear! If that's you, I want to encourage you! 

Today, I am being reminded by the Holy Spirit about what the Apostle Paul wrote to the followers of Jesus in Romans 8:37. He wrote this "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." More, he said, "more than a conqueror"! That sounds like a powerful spirit-filled person, doesn't it? In the latter part of that verse, what things was he talking about? 

Before he made that statement in Romans 8:37, he asked a question in Romans 8:35. Here is the question: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?". This question demands an answer from each and every one of us! But before you answer, think about it for a minute, meditate on that verse. 

Now let me ask you, is there anything in this world or in this life that is greater than our Heavenly Father, more magnificent in splendor than our Lord Jesus Christ? Is there anyone or anything more powerful than God the Holy Spirit? Of course not! We must answer with a resounding no! Jesus Christ is Lord of Lords and King of Kings! 

Paul then goes on to write in Romans 8:38-39. "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

Now meditate on those words for a few minutes. Those words are supposed to be our reality. That is the spiritual plain that Jesus disciples are supposed to be living on. That is our destiny! However, let me clarify something, I'm not telling you that our destiny is a life devoid of sorrow or pain, troubles or trials. But I will tell you it is supposed to be a victorious life. A life built on Jesus the firm foundation, one that can go through anything and be more than a conqueror through it. 

Think of this, no one has ever been called a conqueror who has not won a battle or two! Right? Part of our destiny is to win the battles we face by the power of the Holy Spirit! Jesus won the ultimate battle on the cross and said: "It is finished." Then he ascended into heaven and sent God the Holy Spirit to us, to be another comforter to us. Let Him comfort your heart today that is part of His mission to God's children. 

Let me ask you a question. What is your spiritual reality today? Do you have God's peace? Do you feel God's comfort despite what's going on around you? If not, we definitely need to make some adjustments and make them quickly. We need to reset our thinking and place it firmly on God's word and His faithfulness. We need to remember that God's power flow doesn't change with the ups and downs of the stock market, world economies, or this or any future pandemic. He is forever strong and steady. I encourage you to take some time, read through the Bible, and see the true stories of God's deliverance for His people. These days, while many are spending more time at home, we should be spending much more time in God's book than on Facebook. 

Many people who struggle with fear, worry, and anxiety are investing to much time on the wrong things. They are watching too much news, scanning too much Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. and spending very little time in God's Book! Yes, God uses what others say through things like this devotional. Still, ultimately, He wants to encourage us directly through our times of prayer, and times in His written words in the Bible. 

When you finish reading this, go right to His Word! If you don't know where to start, start by reading the red letters, the words that Jesus spoke in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Those words are eternal; they are life-giving and full of heavenly inspiration. Will you do it? God is waiting for you in your quiet place. I can promise you if you do it, you won't be disappointed, and God won't be either! 

 He loves you and longs to give you that peace that passes understanding!

Brian

The Holy Spirit put these verses on my heart this morning as I prayed for something to encourage His people. 

1Thessalonians 5:16-18 
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 

I have said for years that if God's people are not sure of His will for their lives, this is one of the best places to start. This is especially true in times like these! 

I want to encourage you right now to begin rejoicing in the Lord. Forget about the circumstances you are facing for a few moments and begin to rejoice in the Lord. Rejoice in who Jesus Christ is! Rejoice that your name is written in the Lambs book of life! Rejoice that you have an eternal home in heaven. Rejoice in the faithfulness of God! Rejoice that He has gotten you through everything up to this point in your life! Rejoice! Rejoice!! Don't wait for a feeling to overtake you but rather overtake your feelings and emotions as you rejoice in God's love, grace, mercy, and power! 

Then after spending some time rejoicing and remembering the power, grace, and mercy of God. Begin to pour out your heart in prayer to him. Cast your cares before him and give him your worries and concerns. Spill it out before the Lord the best way you know-how. He can read between the lines to see what's really in your heart! Give him your fears as you stand at the throne of God's grace and receive his courage. Receive his love, joy, and peace. Receive the answer to your prayer by faith, knowing God is faithful and will do what needs to be done. 

Then, begin to thank God. Thank him for his mercy! Thank him for his grace! Thank Him for His power to deliver you even as He delivered the Jewish people so they could walk through the Red Sea on dry ground while being chased by the Egyptians. Thank him that He's going to get you through any sea of trouble and bring you to the other side! Thank him for the gift of faith to believe in Him and his promises. Thank your Lord and Savior Jesus that he purchased you with His blood when he sacrificed Himself on the cross for our redemption. Thank him for everything you can think of and then rejoice some more! Rejoice in the Lord, that was Paul's admonition to God's people! 

We have just described God's prescription and approach to the difficult things in life. God's Biblical antidote to anxiety, worry, and fear! If we take this approach, everything will look different to us. Like I have said before, it won't necessarily change what's going on around us. It will change how we see things that are going on around us. That's what we need in times like this! With this approach, we will be looking for God amid trouble instead of being overwhelmed by the crisis we are facing. 

In closing, let me say we need to remember that the advice given to us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 didn't come from someone who had lived a comfortable life. These words come from the Apostle Paul, who was told by Jesus during His God encounter on the road to Damascus that he would suffer many things for Jesus's sake. 

In 2 Corinthians 11:24-29, we read some of the things Paul experienced as He faithfully followed the Lord. "Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak?" 

Through all this, he continued to trust and believe in God's faithfulness. Most of us will never experience hardships like those mentioned above. But they do give us a glaring example from one of God's great servants how to walk through difficult times. 

At the end of Paul's list of dangers and toils, he says, "Who is weak, and I do not feel weak?" Those are powerful words that remind us that God makes us stronger as we walk with Him through any trial in life. We grow stronger, not weaker! I want to rejoice in that! How about you? 

So remember to "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1Thessalonians 5:16-18 

May God bless you today in heavenly ways as you follow Him! 

Brian

IN TIMES LIKE THESE, don't let your heart be troubled! 

In John 14:1-4, Jesus gives us some precise instructions on how to react in times like these, in times when trouble strikes. Let's look at that together. 

Jesus said: 
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know." John 14:1-4 

In this passage, Jesus instructs us not to get stuck on being overwhelmed at the trouble around us. He teaches us instead to look at the everlasting promise of eternal life. The everlasting promise of an eternal home void of trouble, sickness, sorrow, or pain! In John 16:33, Jesus says, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation (trouble); but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." 

Jesus never says we are going to live a life devoid of tribulation or trouble. On the contrary, He says tribulation and trouble will occur and then tells us to not let our hearts be troubled when it happens. 

For many, the last few years have been good. Now all of a sudden, the tide has turned, and trouble has hit us like a sledgehammer. We have to remember as God's children that he is still God, He is still in control, and He is not surprised by what is happening around the world in this pandemic. 

At this moment, God is not scurrying around, trying to figure out how to respond! He has already given His people the answer, and they are in His Word. "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me." and "be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." If we do those things, we will see God's response to our childlike faith and simple trust in His faithfulness. 

That doesn't mean everything is going to change around us. 

* It does mean things will change inside of us! 

* It does mean He will give us the spiritual power and peace to walk through it with heavenly confidence born out of our faith and trust in God. 

* It also means we can pass that on to others around us that don't have the answer. We can spread peace and hope to those overwhelmed by fear and defeat! 

In times like these, we must listen carefully and respond accordingly to the directions Jesus gave us ahead of time. He knew there would be times like these, and we would need His inspiration! He knew we would need His promises to lean on! 

There have been times like these throughout history. There have been times much, much worse than anything we are going through right now. So let's take a deep spiritual breath and remember that our God is not only the great God of the past. He is also the God of the present, and God of the future, and if he is telling us to not let our hearts be troubled but to keep believing, then that is what we need to do! 

Jesus knows what's on the other side of this trouble and tells us to "be of good cheer." Good cheer is far greater than just struggling through; it is seeing by faith that God has the answer and will implement it in our lives as we trust in Him! 

* His words are eternally inspirational and never change in meaning, power, or influence! 

* His promises are yay and amen, and we can't forget that in times like these! 

I encourage you right now to take a few moments and meditate on the eternal promises of God. Meditate on one the Holy Spirit puts on your heart or on one that we just read in this devotional. 

God bless you, and may God protect you with His healing power and grace and provide your every need according to His riches in glory! 

Brian 

www.sharegodeshope.com

God's Word is full of wonderful promises to his people, and in times like these, we must look to Him and trust in the words He has spoken to us through his Word. 

Today I read some very encouraging words in Psalm 112. Verse one says, "Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments." 

We then read the blessings that come to those who fear (revere, honor) the Lord and delight in His commands. 

Let's focus on two specific verses. In Psalms 112:4, we read, "Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous." Here we learn the promise that even in dark times, God's light will shine on those that are upright, gracious and compassionate. These are people who aren't just looking out for their own welfare and comfort before God. They're also concerned with what's going on in the hearts of the people around them. They are gracious and compassionate people! They don't mock people who are fearful. Instead, they seek to bring God's comfort to them. They share the promises of God with them and lift them up. The people described in this verse honor God and care about people simultaneously. 

Then in Psalm 112:7-8, we read, "He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid." This is a beautiful promise for those who fear/revere the Lord and delight in his commandments. These men and women are not afraid of what is ahead because they know God is already there and has already provided a solution for them. These people trust that God will be faithful, and for that reason, they don't live in fear. When fear comes their way, they remind themselves of the promises in God's Word and walk on in victory. That is God's will for each and every one of us. Right? 

I pray that today and in the coming days, our Heavenly Father and Lord and Jesus Christ lift you up through the power of the Holy Spirit and make these promises a reality to us all! He loves you with an everlasting love and is right there by your side. 

God bless you, Brian

God wants us to trust Him at all times. He wants us to trust that His faithfulness and power are not limited by our present circumstances. Right? 

Romans 15:13 says, “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.” 

In this verse, the Apostle Paul reminds us that the God of hope will fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in Him. He teaches us that the result of that trust will be an overflowing of hope! That my friends is a wonderful promise! 

We need the four things Paul speaks of in this verse in our lives right now. We need trust in God, we need the joy and peace of God, and we need an abundance of hope. Right? 

My friends, there is only one place to get those things, and that is from our God, and His word points us in the right direction. In Isaiah 12:3, we read, “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” 

God’s wells of salvation are always full; they don’t go up and down like the stock market. So come now to the wells that never run dry and draw deep from those wells! Don’t just skim the surface! Reach down deep and let God refresh you! Then our hearts will be full of God’s hope, peace, and joy. 

Peace, joy, and hope are three heavenly gifts that are evidence of our trust in God, especially in times like these. God will bless you today as you draw deep and trust in the Lord and in the power of His might! 

He loves you with an everlasting love and will never leave you or forsake you! 

God bless you, Brian

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid." John 14:27 

God's peace is a supernatural gift and is meant to have a supernatural effect on God's children and to bring calm into the most difficult of situations. It is heavenly, a fruit of the Holy Spirit. God's peace cannot be affected by anything in the natural world; it is a God-sent gift! God's peace is spiritual; it is supernatural! 

I believe it is the same peace Jesus received in the garden after praying to the Father in anxiety over the suffering that was ahead of Him. With a heart of heaviness, Jesus confessed to the disciples with Him, "My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death." Matthew 26:38. Then "Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will." Matthew 26:39. Jesus humbled Himself and prayed three times regarding what was ahead of him. After the third time, He received the answer He needed and was ready to leave the garden to fulfill God's plan of redemption. 

It was God's heavenly peace, power, and love that got Jesus through the beatings, the scourging, the nailing to the cross, and to proclaim, "It is finished." John 19:30. 

This fruit of peace comes through the Holy Spirit, who Jesus said would be "another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever" John 14:16. This peace does not fly away when the hard times come. It's presence becomes more potent than ever before when things are the most difficult. This peace is an eternal fruit of the Holy Spirit and is provided to us through the promises in God's word. 

I want to encourage you right now amid this thing the world calls a pandemic to embrace this heaven-sent peace of God. Start by thanking God for it! Then believe God for it! Believe it is part of your heavenly heritage as a believer in Jesus Christ and as an ambassador of Jesus Christ. 

God wants us to be a witness of His power and His grace through difficult times. We have been called by God to bring peace to others in the storms of life that cause others to fall into the sea of fear. 

In Mark 4:39, Jesus said, "Peace be still!" and He brought the peace and calm of God into a very frightening experience. That's precisely what He wants to do for His children right now! That's what He wants to do for you! He is saying, "Peace be still!" Can you hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to you, reminding you of the promises in His Word? Telling us that God is greater than anything this world can throw at us! Do you believe that? If we do, let's live it as God's salt and light to the world! 

Our Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ love us more than we can ever know! He has not called us to fear and panic but rather to peace, faith, and power. So let's embrace that heavenly calling and be a reflection of these things during these troubling times. 

God bless you, Brian

I've had people get honest with me over the years and tell me, "I just don't have time to pray." and I have to admit that I was one of those people in the past. The type of person that is just so busy with really "important" things that I didn't seem to have time to take time to pray. I sacrificed the most important for the less important — the most needful for the less needful. Since then, I have learned that if I am too busy to take time to pray, I am just too busy! I have learned that the amount of effort I have to put into things without humbly asking God for help cannot make up for the time it takes to pray about everything. Plus, walking through the day feeling disconnected from God is not a pleasant, peaceful, easy feeling! 

God's word tells us to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). That means throughout the day and regarding all things. We are also taught by the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God". That tells me to come into the presence of God with confidence and with a thankful heart, knowing God will do what is needed if I ask Him. Jesus said, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you receive it, and you will." (Mark 11:24). 

The Word of God is full of scriptures like the ones we just read admonishing us to pray. Yet, many Christians seem to function with very little prayer or just throwing up a prayer or two as they go through each day. I pray throughout the day to stay in constant communication with my Heavenly Father. Still, I also know the necessity of taking a special, spiritual "closet" time for prayer each day — the importance of taking time where it is just me alone with God in my prayer closet. 

I want to share two extraordinary things that happen during those times. First, it helps me to shut out all the other voices, including the digital voices coming at us through our cell phones, TVs, the internet, and it is just me and God alone together. He listens to me as I ask for His help with my character and commitments, help to walk in holiness, obey His commands, and overcome evil. Secondly, it is a time of me asking God for help with the practical needs of life and the ministry He has called me to do. It's a time to say, "God, I will do what you ask, but this is what I need to accomplish your calling." I ask in childlike faith and humility, knowing that "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble" 1 Peter 5:5. 

Please don't be like those who come into His presence demanding He does what He promised. I never demand anything from God; I ask humbly. If you don't want God to listen to your prayers, start demanding He does what you want! Instead, come as a child, in childlike faith, asking God your Father for the help you need, and always praying in the heart and character of Jesus, who said: "Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." Matthew 21:22. 

In closing, please don't be one of those people that don't have time to pray! If we don't have time to humble ourselves and pray, we'll have to make lots of time to deal with the loss of not having God's help. The help that He lovingly waits to give if we would only take time to ask in humility, honesty, and childlike faith.

A good step of faith to take today is to step into your prayer closet and begin communicating with your maker. He loves you and is waiting to listen and to give guidance and help you not only need but genuinely desire!

God bless you today and always, Brian Mark Weller

In the last few days, I've been contemplating whether or not I've consistently counted the cost of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  I've asked myself some difficult and challenging questions.  Have I truly considered giving all for the sake of God's call or am I compromising God's will and call on my life for my own comfort and desires?  Have I gotten so comfortable in this life that I am living more for me and "my" world, than for God and His eternal Kingdom?

What if I had truly done unto others, as I would have them, do to me

What if I had forgiven everyone that had offended me and let go of the residue of those offenses in my life?

What if I had truly counted the cost and surrendered everything to the Lord including my time, my resources and my talents?

What if I had risked everything no matter what the cost to help get the gospel of Jesus Christ to every person who has not heard?

What if I had faithfully lived a life of faith and went beyond taking steps of faith to take leaps and dives of faith?

What if I had lived every moment in light of God's mercy seat and God's judgment seat?

What if I had done what I did for the glory of God alone and didn't look for affirmation from others for serving God?

What if I had actually believed the promises of Jesus and acted on them?

What if I had truly lived the commandments of Jesus?

THINK ABOUT IT - What is a Step of Faith?

We hear the term "Step of Faith" all the time in Christian circles, but what truly is a "step of faith"? Here is my definition! A step of faith is a step we take into the will of God, in order to accomplish God's purposes and plans. We take those "steps of faith" trusting God to meet the needs he has asked us to meet without having the resources available at the time He gives the command. As we live our lives taking steps of faith eventually we can truly say as Paul did, that "We walk by faith and not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7.

THINK ABOUT IT:
If we really want to be full of THANKS LIVING this THANKSGIVING we must seek to remember and live out a few very important things!

(Please note: These are meant to be declarations so they are written in the first person because I for one need to remember these things and live them out.)

#1 - LIFE from a heavenly perspective is not about me and my happiness. It is more about the smile I can put on God's face through my times of fellowship with Him, my heart to seek Him, my willingness to surrender to Him and my desire to serve those He calls me to serve in humility and with sincere gratefulness for being entrusted with such amazing opportunities.

#2 - LIFE is not about me feeling fulfilled at what I do, with the title I do or don't have, or how much money I make or don't make. It is more about me fulfilling His plans and purposes with the life He has given me while here on planet earth. It is about living with the hope of hearing Him say one day 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'"

#3 - LIFE is not about my popularity or lack of it. It is not about Facebook likes, Instagram feeds, Twitter followers or the lack thereof. It is more about the likes that I get from the heart of God in response to how much I seek to proclaim His name and share His love with others. Life always goes into overdrive when I am not at the center of everything, but rather when God has center stage in my heart and mind.

#4 - LIFE is about God my Father, Jesus my Lord, and the Holy Spirit indwelling me as the temple of God. It is about living for Him and remembering that to know Him is the greatest privilege known to any man (or woman).

#5 - LIFE is about loving the amazing family God has given me, spending great times with them, creating memories with them and always being grateful for them. After God, they take the biggest place in my heart and I treasure the countless memories we have created together. Lord, help me to give more than I take from them.

In closing, let's remember that life is not about me or you, or just our families and friends. If that is all we live for, chances are we are going to feel somewhat empty and will lack a greater sense of purpose and destiny that God wants us all to have.

As I said before, true life is knowing God and making Him known, which includes caring about, and ministering to the poorest of the poor and ministering to those that are totally lost, hurting and without hope in the darkest corners of the world.

If we want to do some Thanks Living and put a smile on the face of God this Thanksgiving (and Christmas) let's look out on the vast unreached harvest fields of the world and ask God what we can do. Say to Him "I want to do more than I am doing now." Then let's do it and never even consider making an excuse or think to ourselves that someone else will step up to get the job done that He has entrusted to me. He is counting on every believer, so let's quit being religious and playing church. Talk is cheap and accomplishes very little if it isn't followed up by actions! Let's do the first works that Jesus called us too! There is an exciting walk of faith God has called us too. A new adventure for us to fulfill. Let's say "Here I am LORD, Send Me, I will do it!!!"

Say this verse over and over " I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13.

Remember this, Thankful people are people who serve, they are people who care and share, they are the doers of the Word. Let that be me and let that be you and together as the children of God we will put a smile on the face of our Heavenly Father, our Lord Jesus Christ and on the faces we reach through our hearts of Thanks Living and Thanks Giving!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

PS - During your Thanksgiving meal talks to your family about how you all together can make a difference. Make a plan and do it!