“The walk of Faith is to live according to the revelation we have received, in the midst of the mysteries we can't explain.” Bill Johnson

Faith is an active behavior. In one sense we passively leave certain matters, usually the ones we do not understand, in God’s hands, but on the whole, we actively trust Him for everyday practical matters. What can be more practical than daily bread? When we ask our Father for it, we do so because He told us to, and to do so every day. And, “daily bread” translates into whatever we need this day to walk before Him--His guidance, protection, even health, strength and wisdom. 

“Give us this day, today’s bread.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 3/22/2020

“Living by faith isn't living with certainty. It's trusting God in spite of unanswered questions and unresolved doubts.” Rick Warren

I do not understand many things that God allows to happen. Still, I trust His absolute goodness. It follows, at least for now, that His goodness, joined to His wisdom, is part of His decision to allow many things we do not understand. He promises to make all things beautiful, in its time.

“The Lord is good!” Ps.100 Conversations Within” ts 3/21/2020

“Faith is seeing light with your heart, when all your eyes see is darkness.” Barbara Johnson

I believe that in any and every situation that a child of God faces, there is only one thing which is needed and that is to discover what God’s will is for you that moment and to ask for His help to do it. Is this true when I have a toothache? Is it true when a loved one is sick or injured. Well, if this is truly true then, it is certainly so. A great part of learning to live from within is dealing with what is going on around us by looking at it from God’s point of view. God sees the whole picture, not just the physical side of things. Still, a toothache can be so distracting. 

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2Cor.4.18 Conversations Within” ts 3/20/2020

“My religion teaches me that I am as safe on the battlefield as I am in my bed. The Lord has appointed the day for my death. I need not concern myself with that, only that I am ready when He comes for me.” Stonewall Jackson

 Father, grant me the courage to live in the light of Your absolute knowledge and wisdom, especially when I know that You are love, and all your ways are under the direction of the kindness You show expressing it. How could I be anything, but confident and safe, knowing how much you love each of us.

“...all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Ps.139.16 Conversations Within” ts 3/19/2020

“A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.” Unknown

We speak of "playing it safe," and doing so can at times be the wise thing to do. But there are times when love demands that safety not be our primary concern. Love may demand sacrifice as it did with Jesus, as it has with soldiers in battle; doctors and nurses working a pandemic; police and firemen doing their duty; or a parent tending a sick child. Keep your head and do what is required of you. 

“He will put his angels in charge of you to protect you in all your ways.” Ps.91 Conversations Within” ts 3/18/2020

Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion"..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good.” The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

“Are we safe in God’s hands? Well it depends on what we consider safe. If by it we mean a life free from danger and pain, then no. God sent Jesus into harm’s way. But if we mean that God’s goodness will prevail, that all will express that goodness in the end, and when the dust settles we will be standing victorious, then yes, we are surely safe in God’s hands.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Rom.8.31 Conversations Within” ts 3/17/2020

“When God delivers you from evil, don’t keep in touch with it.” Unknown

Jesus encouraged us to ask His Father for protection. Do you know what this means? First it means that in this world we will need protection, and therefore should expect evil in various forms to come our way. Second, it also means that because it is God’s will that we trust Him to deliver us from it, we can certainly expect Him to do so when we ask. 

“Deliver us from evil.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 3/16/2020

“We all need somewhere where we feel safe.” Emma Thompson

I believe that God wants His children to feel safe in His arms. Could there be any safer place to be than under in His watchful care. One important questions for us to consider is do we have a role in this? Certainly so. If God calls us to come under the umbrella of His protection, and we foolishly decide not to comply, does it not follow that we will get wet in the downpour? 

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.” Prov.18.10 Conversations Within” ts 3/15/2020

“You are safe not because of the absence of danger, but because of the presence of God.” Unknown

When I think about how protective we are of our grandchildren, I realize that our Father in Heaven is much better at it. He is the model parent and His protection has no equal. Nothing can touch the child of God when He's on watch. Even when He allows something to touch us, His touch will work whatever it is for good. Rest in the knowledge of His love and care. 

“The Lord will keep you from all harm- he will watch over your life;” Ps.127.7 Conversations Within” ts 3/12/2020

“Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow.” Mary Anne Radmacher

The inner grace that encourages us to get back up and try again, is evidence of God working courage in us. Endurance is the brother of courage. Persevere, keep going, push through, overcome whatever, and give it another go. The courage to do so, is itself, great reward, and is the gift you give both to God, others and yourself. 

“But the people, the men of Israel, took courage, and again formed the battle line in the same place where they had formed it on the first day.” Judges 20 ESV Conversations Within” ts 3/11/2020

“Courage is a decision.” Winston Churchill

Like every other grace in action, courage is not something we simply feel, but something we choose to do. Be courageous by acting courageous. God commands it, so He surely gives all that is necessary to support doing it. Stand and know that your Father in all His power stands with you. 

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” ” Josh.1.9  Conversations Within” ts 3/10/2020

”Today’s mighty oak is just yesterday’s nut that held its ground.” David Icke

When adversity rises up against you, rise up and meet it with courage. The word courage, as God used it, refers to someone with strong feet. They dig in and do what is necessary to stand their ground. Whatever you meet on the road of life, meet it with confidence and courage. Do not cower with complaint, draw the sword of your confidence in God’s kind intentions and hold your ground.

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Deut.31.6  Conversations Within” ts 3/8/2020

“The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better.” John F. Kennedy

There is enough evil in the world. Be a force for goodness. Be a healer, a helper, and happiness will accompany you everywhere. Leave people and places better than you find them. Give thought every day to the many ways you can be a blessing to others and as you go, get at it.

“Jesus….went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.”  Conversations Within” ts 3/7/2020

Share your toys...and while you are at it, share everything else as well.

Everything that I possess is a gift from God, not to keep just for myself, but to share with others. My life is not my own, I belong to God. I belong to everyone who shares life with me in this place. Do not hold too tightly to blessings that come your way. We all play in the same sandbox. We must all learn to share our toys!

“All the believers were together and had everything in common.” Acts 2.44 Conversations Within” ts 3/6/2020

“Nobody knows the trouble I've seen. Nobody knows but Jesus.” Louis Armstrong

Nobody has suffered alone, we have all known our share of troubles. I find comfort in this. Others have known the very same struggles I go through and also know the joy of getting past them. I also find comfort knowing that Jesus has suffered not just with us but for us. His suffering is mysteriously, but purposefully God’s answer to our own. Does it not say that “By His stripes we are healed.” 

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin." Conversations Within” ts 3/5/2020

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The notion that we need to feel “happy” all the time when there are many reasons in this world not to, can keep us from learning many important life lessons.

It is one thing to feel happy and another to be at peace when we are not. Make your peace with the fact that in this world we will not always be happy. I may not always be happy but I can be at peace with it. Even Jesus knew sorrow.

“Jesus wept.” Conversations Within” ts 3/4/2020

“My heart is a prison of Have you tried? Have you tried exercising? Have you tried eating better? Yes, I have tried. Yes, I am still trying, and yes, I am still sick.” Emm Roy

 Emotional pain is real even though the cause may be invisible. A person can be depressed without understanding why. We should take care when we tell people to just get over it. Sometimes loving people is just sitting with them in the darkness. We also need to be honest about our own days of depression and sadness. God surely sits with us all in such times even though we cannot see or feel Him. Sometimes He sits with us in the presence of a friend. 

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” Ps. 34:18  Conversations Within” ts 3/3/2020

“The reward of suffering is experience.” Harry S. Truman

There are a number of benefits offered to us in pain. Experience is certainly one of them. I realize that I cause many of the pains that I have known. Consequently,  I now think more about my actions before I reap the consequences of them. It Is better to learn and live, rather than live and learn. 

“But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction.” Job 36.15 Conversations Within” ts 3/2/2020

“Though the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” Helen Keller

 I have my share of suffering, and looking back in reflection I can honestly say that I have come to appreciate the value of having had. I did not rejoice in it when I was in the middle of whatever was causing it, but each time I saw in its wake a deepened my spiritual walk and faith in God’s goodness.

 “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” Conversations Within” ts 3/1/2020

“Does anyone know which page in the Bible explains how to turn water into wine.” Auntie Acid

People look to a variety of things to deal with the pains of life. It matters not, aspirin or alcohol, if we are not careful, whatever we use to alleviate pain may wind up causing more. We should be wise when seeking a remedy to our pains. We should also remember this when trying to console a friend in pain. Trying to give counsel to someone when they are hurting may be like the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard. 

“Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.” Job.2.13 Conversations Within” ts 2/29/2020

“We were promised sufferings. They were part of the program.” C. S. Lewis

It seems a waste to try and understand why God allows suffering. I am not talking about obvious cause and effect pains, much of which I bring on myself when I stub my toe running barefooted. I am speaking of the suffering that is woven into the fabric of our world--physical pain, but also the pains of age, of loss, of separation. Even if we could understand the Creator's designs, it does not change the fact that all of us, children, even animals are subject to great suffering. I think it wise to just deal with it all using the grace that God also promises when suffering comes our way.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." God Conversations Within” ts 2/28/2020

“The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.” Unknown

A single thought can be a powerful catalyst for positive change and literally turn one’s life around. Imagine the difference between, “I can’t” and “ I can.” One pure thought, embraced, and re enforced in daily action can redefine our purpose and the direction of our life’s energy. Discover and lay hold of that one thought that defines who you are, and gives lasting joy to your life.

“Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 2/26/2020

“A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles.” Washington Irving

Lord help me nurture a glad disposition that I may live each day in the delights of joy, the joy of knowing, loving and serving You. I would wake up with a song of delight and keep its melody throughout the day. Let me smile and be one reason for Yours. Let me greet the dawn with gladness and retire every night in peaceful  joy. 

“Serve the Lord with gladness. Come into His presence with singing.” Ps.100 Conversations Within” ts 2/25/2020

“It is hard to be down when you are looking up.” Unknown

There are many reasons people look to God. A good bit of the time, it involves something that is worrying us. It may be our health, or the need for protection, or some other material need. We may look to Him in thanksgiving or simply to compliment Him on a job well done on a sunrise or sunset. Looking to God, involves faith and we are told that He is pleased when we show it. Look to Him in faith and we will see Him looking at us smiling. 

“Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7 Conversations Within” ts 2/24/2020

“Speak in such a way that others love to listen to you. Listen in such a way that others love to speak to you.” Unknown

My wife is one of  those people who is always about others. She is attentive to the needs of the people around her and “Johnny on the spot” serving them. When I think of a successful person, I think about her. She is a walking encouragement to live a life of love and service. I want to be like her when I grow up. 

 “The greatest among you will be your servant.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 2/23/2020

“The man who has no inner-life is a slave to his surroundings.” Henri Frederic Amiel

I often  react and get frustrated when I would rather respond and be patient. I confess that my reactions are my first nature. But since inviting Christ into my life, I see a new nature growing in me. His nature is peaceful, and mine in turmoil.” I am starting to understand that “He leads me beside still waters” is more a metaphor of a calm inner life than my physical surroundings. It is here that learning to respond rather than react becomes my reality. 

“Put off your old self...and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God...” Eph.4 Conversations Within” ts 2/22/2020

“We become what we think about.” Earl Nightingale

What is occupying my mind? What do I think about throughout the day? Each of us has been given an incredible gift, and that is the power to choose our thoughts. And, as we do, our thoughts join us, marry us if you will. Choose the bride  or groom of your thoughts carefully, for we will surely live with them. Be happily married.  If divorce is ever proper, it should be with unhealthy thoughts.

“For as a person thinks in his heart, so he is.” Prov.23.7 Conversations Within” ts 2/21/2020