Meat for the Hungry

It's official. There's a new sheriff in town, and the outlaws…well…they are a-runnin'!   Many of us prayed so hard for this, and joy fills our hearts. We know the LORD said yes. But even if He had said no like He did four years ago, that does not change His sovereignty for the Almighty Triune God does not change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. [1]   His changelessness diminishes fear and allows true believers to have unspeakable joy no matter the condition of our lives or the situations in our world. [2] Why? Joy comes from within our soul since we are filled with God's Spirit. Joy transcends the things we see and experience because God Most High is on His throne, and He loves us with an everlasting love. He is in total control, orchestrating events in our lives and on Earth, whether trials to refine us or gifts to bring us joy and Him glory. [3] We, above all, know how God works things around for the good of those who love Him. [4] So...

https://elements.envato.com/female-driver-with-blooded-face-sitting-in-the-car-ZKTPLM2 In the wee hours of the morning, a tan Ford Focus drove left of center. Tires screeched. Metal clashed and crumpled. Whimpers and cries escaped the victim’s vehicle, but the other remained silent. Amidst sirens and flashing lights, rescue vehicles arrived. As paramedics filled the gurneys, a flash came from beneath the Ford. “It’s gonna blow,” a Fireman shouted, rushing to save the driver. “Just let me die,” Kathryn screamed. “I want to die. I don’t want to live.” “I can’t do that, Ma’am,” he yelled, yanking the door. It wouldn’t budge. “Bring the Jaws,” he hollered while other firefighters dashed to douse the car with chemical extinguishers. “No,” Kathryn shrieked, sobbing hysterically as the Jaws of Life opened her car like a tin can. Prying Kathryn from the wreckage, paramedics strapped her onto the last available gurney, checked her vitals, and slid her into the remaining ambulance. W...

Have you ever planned and carried out that plan just to feel differently about it afterward? Goodness, everything was riding on that one big moment, yet it fell flat. What happened? Did we misunderstand? It seemed perfect, but where do we go from here?   Thinker - Rodin - images.fineartamerica.com During the holidays, we plan changes we’d like to make in the new year and contemplate our future. We’re excited about fresh prospects and making the most of every opportunity. However, as our plans come to fruition, sometimes they aren’t what we expected, and we’re dumbfounded.   That’s when we must take a step back and remember, as Jeremiah did, “…the way of man is not in himself—it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” [1]   How did Jeremiah know this truth?   Jeremiah was the son of the priest, Hilkiah. He was too young to be a priest himself since thirty was the age for entering the priesthood. Yet, Jeremiah studied and believed God’s Word...

T h a n k s g i v i n g —an expression of gratitude given in many different ways—an action gushing forth from heartfelt emotion. Daily we extend or receive kindnesses , and t h a n k s g i v i n g seems to flow naturally . Effortlessly we thank our fellow man, but when it comes to God, sometimes it’s not so easy. And even on the day our nation has set aside to thank God for His bountiful blessings, thanksgiving becomes a strained endeavor.   Why?   Perhaps the reality of our crummy situation slaps us in the face. Maybe the ups and downs of family relationships or gyrating current events have us on a merry-go-round , and we’re not feeling very thankful. I’m right there with you. In fact, I found myself shouting, “Lord Jesus, stop the world I want to get off!”   But at that moment, God’s still small voice penetrated my soul. “Rejoice always,” He said. “Pray without ceasing, and in everything give t h a n k s ; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” [...

“Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.” [1] Pain. Christopher Tydeman - www.soulfulheartblog.com Sadness. Misery. Anguish. Despair. Despondency. Complete and utter hopelessness. Sitting in the muck and mire, my fingers scrape across the four walls that now feel more like a hand-dug well than a home and I wonder, “How did I get here?” For too long I’ve gone through the motions of living a normal life and acting as if everything is okay. I’ve clung to the muddy sides trying to inch my way back up, but as each day passed, I slipped lower and lower. Then today as if out of nowhere, the bottom like a bony, shriveled hand reached up, latched onto my heel and yanked.  My grip, precarious from the beginning, broke. Arms flailing, I desperately grabbed at anything to stop my fall, but hopelessness took over. I succumbed to the inevitability of my situation and plunged headlong...