What Does Perfect Love Mean?

 

by Barbara Latta

We see many examples of sacrificial love from unselfish people. Men and women have died defending others. Parents have given up comforts, financial security, and their lives for their children.

But this human devotion still is not the perfect love 1 John 4:18 speaks of. Because no matter how much a person does for another one, that love can’t cast out fear.

7 Promises From God for the New Year

 

by Barbara Latta

Our inboxes and news headlines are filled right now will different aspects of setting goals for another year. Rather than inundate ourselves with more than we can comprehend or do, an alternative would be to concentrate on the promises God gives us in His Word. These life-giving assurances are not only for the beginning of another calendar but will fulfill us every day.

Here are 7 promises from God for the New Year for us to meditate upon.

1. Freedom from loneliness and fear. Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NKJV)

2. Freedom from guilt and condemnation. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)

3. Freedom from spiritual and soulish emptiness. 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. (Romans 8:38-39)

4. Freedom from worry and anxiety. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

5. Peace – Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)

6. Provision – As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue. (1 Peter 1:3)

7. Protection – Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling. (Psalm 91:9-10)

His promises are always yes and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20). He never fails and we know we can always depend upon the truth of His Word to work in our lives.

What encouragement can you add to this list?

7 promises from God for the New Year(click to tweet)

 

 

5 Scriptures to Combat Foreboding Thoughts

 

by Barbara Latta

The world is full of chaos because the ruler of this world is Satan. His agenda is destruction, and his methods of operation are lies and deceit. His whispered words plant fear.

With more apprehension filling the airwaves each day, our peace can be threatened if we allow these assumptions and predictions to take precedence in our lives.

Trepidation and threats shatter peace and can leave our emotions in sharp pieces. We can find ourselves descending into a deep hole of depression one step at a time and not realize we are at the bottom until we feel enveloped in darkness.  

7 Cures for Insomnia

 

by Barbara Latta

The lights are out. The house is quiet.

Yet sleep evades us.

The mind wanders and finds things we hadn’t even thought about for years or invents possibilities that haven’t happened yet.

There are some physical things we can do that will relax our bodies such as limit screen time, avoid foods that disagree with our stomachs, and stay away from violent movies and TV shows that raise emotional responses.

But the minute the room is dark and the TV is off, even if all these physical requirements are followed, thoughts of disaster still race through the space of our brains like a rocket on a mission to the moon.  

In our busy world, can we really be still and know God?

by Barbara Latta

Do you have a word to focus on for 2020?

Finding a word for the year has become a trending activity and it helps us grow in the area we have chosen. This makes an easier goal setting task for me than making a list of resolutions.

As I was praying about what word I should use for this year, I heard “listen.”

Along with that word came Psalm 46:10, Be still and know that I am God.

In our busy world, can we really be still and know God?

The words “be still” may not mean for us to completely stop moving all the time, but there is an amazing difference when we take a few minutes to stop everything – TV, social media, work, music and just ponder God. In our busy activity, just stop and be still.

Our world is so overwhelming with busyness and noise, we think we don’t have time to be still. We need to finish the “to do” list. But if your list is like mine it never gets to the end anyway.

So, this year I want to stop more often. Yes, just do nothing for a few minutes every day and just listen.

Listen. Rest. Refresh.

What is He saying right now at this time to me?

What do I need to study in His Word?

Keep the mind still.

The New American Standard Version says, “cease striving.”

Stop being anxious.

Trust Him.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV).

This is one of my favorite go-to scriptures. And this describes “cease striving.”

This says to me to stop trying to make things happen and just follow His Word.

Rest in His arms and absorb Him.

Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your high God, above politics, above everything (Psalm 46:10 The Message).

Above politics, yes! As we get away from everything negative we can refocus on the positive God who loves us and is above everything.

Do you have a word for the New Year?

Feel free to share your thoughts and vision for 2020.

Listen to God, be still and cease striving. Do not beanxious about anything (click to tweet)

How Can Peace Fill Our Soul When Trouble Lies Ahead?

by Barbara Latta 

The Fruit of the Spirit Series – Peace

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).

Shortly before He was to be crucified Jesus told his disciples, Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour; but for this cause I came unto this hour (John 12:27). Then only a few days later he told them not to let their heart be troubled (John 14:1). 

How can peace fill our soul when trouble lies ahead?

The Son's soul was troubled at what lay ahead, but He let peace abide and control Him so He could fulfill the Father’s will. Jesus was telling His disciples to have the same peace.

Even though they didn’t know what lay ahead, Jesus knew they would need those words. I’m sure I would have reacted the same way the disciples did. Their Savior, Teacher, Leader and Friend is arrested because He was betrayed by one of His own. Can you imagine the shock when they saw Judas arrive in the Garden with soldiers?

Their pulses must have raced at the thought of being arrested also. They scattered like a flock of sheep pursued by wolves. Thoughts of peace were the furthest thing from their minds. Survival was. They fled. They hid. They denied. Peace was impossible. Or so they thought.

After being filled with the Holy Spirit, the same man who denied Christ preached to a city filled with people and 3,000 were saved. The same one who tried to cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant wrote, For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile; Let him eschew evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it (1 Peter 3:10-11). Peter found out the peace Jesus talked about before His crucifixion was real and was also possible to demonstrate.

Jesus tells us the same thing. When our thoughts are troubled and we are pursued by disaster and temptation, where does our heart go? Does fear reign or do the Words of our Lord eliminate the terror?

Because my mind wants to wander away when situations arise that are troubling, I use my favorite verse to eliminate worry, Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7 KJV).

As you think about the Fruit of the Spirit that God has given us, may you also take this Word with you this week, The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless His people with peace (Psalm 29:11).

What are your favorite verses about peace? Share your thoughts.

How can peace fill our soul when trouble lies ahead (click to tweet)

3 Keys to Staying Positive When Negativity Surrounds You

by Barbara Latta

Shootings, natural disasters and political criticisms from each side bombard the airwaves

To survive meltdowns we must re-focus.

each time we click the power button on any device. Our world is falling apart, but that doesn’t mean we need to follow and disintegrate. But how can we stay positive in a negative world and combat fear when tragedies abound?

Jesus told us, These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world (John 16:33 NKJV). For us to survive the meltdowns happening every day we must find ways to re-focus our attention on what is truly important.

We live in a physical world and we have physical needs and physical attacks. But our reality is in the spirit world because that is who we really are. Worldly and material things will someday pass away, so when we focus mainly on what is happening to us in the physical realm we are neglecting the most important aspect of our being.

Here are 3 keys to staying positive when negativity surrounds you:

Can A Peaceful Mind Exist in the Middle of Chaos?

by Barbara Latta

(At the end of this blog post, you can enter to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card)

Every year that goes by disasters and tragedies are rampant. Because we live in a fallen,

Can peace exist in the middle of chaos?

sinful world we know these events will continue to unfold. How can we keep a peaceful mind when surrounded by chaos, destruction and evil?

Peace isn’t going to come knocking on our door and plop down in our heads. A decision must be made to keep our minds on the things of God and not of this world. While we do live in the atmosphere of sin, we do not have to let it corrupt our minds.

Here are some words of wisdom from our heavenly Father to keep fear at bay and peace at the forefront:

Focus on the Prince of Peace.

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer I have overcome the world (John 16:33 NKJV).

Stay away from bad influences. This doesn’t mean we totally isolate ourselves from the world. Jesus went where sinners were, but He went there to change their lives not to let them change His.

Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Don’t worry about anything. Worry doesn’t solve any problem, it actually can compound it by causing physical and emotional symptoms.

Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? (Matthew 6:27).

Be thankful. We are not instructed to be thankful for bad times but to be thankful we have a heavenly Father who is the answer to anything that comes against us.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus ( Philippians 4:6-7).

Monitor what is heard through media and politics and prevent bad reports from altering stands on issues. Political persuasions and moral attitudes should remain grounded in the Word of God.

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world and not according to Christ (Colossians 2:8).

Psalm 91:14

We are promised God’s protection when we stand on His Word and claim it.

Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high; because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation (Psalm 91: 14-16).

Peace is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and has been given to us by God. When we dwell in the spiritual realm, spiritual fruit grows and weeds die.

By implementing promises from the Word of God a peaceful year can reign despite the circumstances around us.

Feel free to share your thoughts and your remedy for remaining in peace.

For all those who subscribe to my blog by filling in your email address on the right side of the page you can enter to win a $10 Amazon gift card. Please leave a comment stating you subscribed. Contest starts today and ends January 13, 2018 12:00 a.m.  Click here to enter:  Amazon Gift Card

TWEETABLES

Stay peaceful in the coming year (click to tweet)

Focus on the Prince of Peace to avoid worry (click to tweet)

How do we pursue peace?

by Barbara Latta

War is everywhere. People are in strife and fighting among themselves. How do we find peace in the middle of the chaos that exists today?

We can’t look to government or other people to give us peace. Our hearts can only be at rest when our minds are stayed on God (Isaiah 26:3).

In the middle of every news report, natural disaster and human chaos if we will stop and think about our heritage from the Lord, peace can follow our thoughts. Anxiety over world events will only fuel our fear and worry. 

One of my favorite scriptures is Philippians 4:6-7 which says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

What are your favorite scriptures for remaining at peace?

God is our peace