Category: <span>thoughts by John Grant</span>


For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NASB)


His story had my close attention, as well as all the others circled around him in a small group.

Every eye was fixed on him. His story was compelling as he told of his time in prison and what transformed him there.

He had been the Prime Minister of his country, with all the pomp and power that goes with the office. And then his government was overthrown and he was placed in prison in solitary confinement for seven years.

He was not a believer and in fact said that he went in prison as an avowed atheist, but somehow there was a Bible in his prison cell and when he emerged from captivity he did so as a follower of Jesus. He said that as he read the Word, he realized that he was not alone and that the Holy Spirit was with him.

One of his first acts was to reconcile with his captors, as he said that the number one thing Jesus taught him in prison was forgiveness. He said that if Jesus had forgiven him, the least he could do would be to forgive others.

Truly, the Bible is holy divinely inspired voice of God. It has changed lives throughout history and it continues to change lives today. The Word of God speaks for itself, but it also calls for engagement.

With the Bible must come social justice, feeding the hungry, clothing the poor and reaching the lost and lonely. It must bridge social and ethnic barriers and overcome human exploitation.

It is not a book of religion, but rather one of life and living. If there is anything our generation of Christians needs to ponder and experience anew it is the power of God’s Word. For only when we seize and are seized by the Word of God do we know the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe. And only when our faith stands in God’s power do we discover what the Word of God really is.

Truly it is living, active and life changing. It has changed my life and the lives of countless people throughout the ages. Truly it is the most powerful book ever written.

by John Grant
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FURTHER READING

•  The Walk of Obedience – by Mary Pinckney

•  Blessed Obedience – by Idelette McVicker

•  God Requires Risky Obedience – by Jon Walker

 


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Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” – Matthew 14: 31-33

It has been said that if you don’t know where you are going, you will always get there. Various forms of navigation have been used for years. Perhaps the most notable Biblical example is the star over Bethlehem.

I remember when I was going through flight training, my instructor said that no matter what my instincts tell me, always trust the instrument guidance system. After time had passed I remember when I was in very deep and thick clouds that I couldn’t see the wing tips. I wasn’t sure of up from down or left from right. My instincts told me to do one thing, but my instruments told me another. I followed the instruments precisely and was able to fly through the storm safely.

Life is like that. The world is full of advice on the direction of our lives, but often the Bible tells us something else. The Bible is the real guidance system of life. Yet the tug and pull of life is so strong which can so easily draw us off course.

Have you ever wavered in your belief that God would bring you through? Why? When you were seriously short of money… When the diagnosis shook your being… When people and relationships failed you… When the promise of your career tanked… Why did you doubt?

Crossing a stormy Sea of Galilee late at night, the disciples are afraid. Jesus comes to them, walking on the water. They think they are seeing a ghost, but then they realize it’s Jesus! Peter asks to walk out to Jesus. As he begins to step out of the boat and walk on water, he begins to sink from fear of the wind and waves. “Lord, save me!” and Jesus pulls Peter out of the water. Then Jesus asked, “Why did you doubt?”

Before they call, I will answer; while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24)

You who are redeemed for heaven, God knows your circumstances. He knows when you think you’re going down, whatever the cause may be. He is already working on your deliverance and already knows the day of your eternal deliverance. Like Peter, the disciples come sooner or later to see the hints that God was indeed reaching down to save you. It’s then, when we start to get it, that He invites the introspective look back, “Why did you doubt?” We see God from behind. The more we look back at the times He’s delivered us, the more we’ll trust that He will save us in the present, even if we don’t yet see it happening.

Trust in God alone and you will never get off course.

By John Grant
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 John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

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FURTHER READING

He Guides Us

God is Faithful

God Knows Everything

thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men


And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.Luke 29:42-43


A few days ago the state executed a man who had been on death row for thirty-two years.

He had been found guilty of a heinous crime of the murder of a young girl.

He was said to have found Christ while in prison and was seen on his knees asking for forgiveness. Only God knows how sincere he was, but his last statement was Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The point is that it is never too late nor a life too filled with sin to accept salvation. A major turning point in Christian history occurred when the Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity. The result was the end of persecution of Christians and the beginning of Christendom.

Now I am not suggesting that one live a sinful life and then plan on a deathbed conversion. I am reminded of the old bumper sticker: “If your plan is to turn to God at the 11th hour, pray you don’t die at 10:30

At the end of his life, blind and humbled, Samson finally realized his utter dependence upon God. He was blind, but now he could see. No matter how far you’ve fallen away from God, no matter how big you’ve failed, it’s never too late to humble yourself and depend on God. Ultimately, through his sacrificial death, Samson turned his miserable mistakes into victory. Let Samson’s example persuade you; it’s never too late to turn to God.

The most high-profile deathbed last-minute conversion to Christ in the Bible is the case of the criminal crucified alongside Jesus (Luke 24:39-43). Only moments before his own death, this criminal had been an unbelieving mocker of Christ. However, at the last moment the criminal repented and acknowledged Jesus as the heavenly King. The Lord gave him the blessed promise, “_Today you shall be with Me in Paradise_.”

Some people say they have sinned too long and too bad to ever be accepted by Christ. Don’t you believe it. Your sin is never too great and the hour is never too late, but why take a chance? Besides, living a Christian life on this side of heaven is a joyous experience that you don’t want to miss.

None of us can go back and make a brand new start, but anyone can start from where they are and make a brand new ending.

by John Grant
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FURTHER READING

It’s Never Too Late – by Fab Batsakis

• Never Too Old –  by M. Jantzen

Better Late Than Never by Terrie Todd

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“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. ” Matthew 6:34


Written from a quote and recorded by several artists, it became a popular tune. “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” also reminds of Jesus discourse in Matthew 6:25-34. In it He gives us a real formula for a happy life.

I confess; I am a worrier. I worry too much, often about things in the past, often about things over which I have no control and often over things that probably won’t even happen. Jesus wants us to live a day at a time and trust Him. I need to apply these words of Jesus to my life and write them on my heart and so do we all.

Here are Jesus’ words in seven bite size morsels, a list for us to chew on about why we should not worry. Remembering that planning (with the Lord’s direction and guidance), is not worry:

6:25 – The same God who created life in you can be trusted with the details of your life.

6:26 – Worrying about the future hampers your efforts for today.

6:27 – Worrying is more harmful than helpful.

6:28-30 – God does not ignore those who depend on Him.

6:31,32 – Worrying shows a lack of faith in and understanding of God.

6:33 – Worrying keeps us from real challenges God wants us to pursue.

6:34 – Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry.

It can be hard to comprehend the Biblical concepts of joy and happiness because our culture has trivialized and sentimentalized these states of being. Society tells us real joy is impossible if we are not always happy with our relationships and possessions.

Paul had something about not worrying as well. (Philippians 4:6-7). “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

By John Grant
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John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

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Further Reading

Overwhelmed by Negative Feelings?

•  Why Worry Yourself Sick? – by Muriel Larson

•  Salvation Explained


thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men


Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7


One could not help but admire the sleek black upper end luxury car.

As I pulled up behind it, the tag caught my eye with its tag number of “OWE DEBT.” I thought, “That says it all.”

In the day-to-day trenches of adult life, there is actually no such thing as atheism. There is no such thing as not worshiping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship. If you worship money and things, if they are where you tap real meaning in life, then you will never have enough.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 reminds us that “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income….” The trap is wealth. Scripture tells us that if we are having our basic needs met for food and clothing, we are considered to have riches.

Jesus cautioned us against living a lifestyle that required more than our basic necessities. Jesus continually taught that a dependence on anything other than God was evil. Whenever Jesus determined that money was an issue for an individual, He addressed it and found that the individual could not let go.

Much like the frog in the boiling pot, if we are not careful we gradually begin to acquire and walk the treadmill of material gain. We begin to expect and desire more and more. Soon we begin expanding our lifestyle. Before we know it, we are worrying about how to take care of and pay for what we acquire.

Our emphasis becomes what we own versus our relationship with Jesus and His Kingdom. The greater independence money gives us, the less dependence on God we need. Christ talked much about money in the Kingdom because He knew how much of a problem it was.

The psalmist said it best: Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Lord, I choose to trust in You, not in myself and the material world around me. Help me to keep my focus solely on You. Amen.

Question: When we worship wealth and things of material gain we focus on them rather than on God. Where is your focus?

by John Grant
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FURTHER READING

Is it All about Money? by Julie Cosgrove

• Shunning Materialism by John Grant

Learn to be Content  by Phil Ware

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He that says that he abides in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 1 John 2:6


On a recent morning walk, I happened upon a truck proclaiming a statement that caught my eye. It was a quote from Gandhi. I paused to take a quick photo with my cell phone and as I continued on my way, I pondered what I had just read. What was the owner of the truck trying to say? Is there truth to it?

I Like your Christ.
I do not like your Christians.
They are so unlike your Christ.
Gandhi

Remember in elementary school when you would go on field trips and your teachers would tell you to behave because you were representing the school? If your class misbehaved at the museum, the museum employees would think your school is full of children who misbehave.

Well, the same in true of everything in life. Wherever you go, whatever you do, you are always representing everything you associate yourself with. You represent your school, your employer, your group of friends, your family. And as followers of Christ, we represent Christ.

Does the way you represent Christ push others towards Him or away from Him? Why is it that Christians are not more like our Christ? There are some who genuinely strive for that, but there are others who want salvation and nothing more. Scriptures call us to imitate Jesus, to obey Him, and to live the way He lived.

Paul lived a life to reflect the Christ he professed. In writing to the Ephesians, he said, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (Ephesians 5:1-2) Paul reminds us to put off our old self, which belongs to our former manner of life which is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of our minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Radical obedience to Christ is not easy… It’s not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world. Radical obedience to Christ risks losing all these things. But in the end, such risk finds its reward in Christ. And he is more than enough for us.

How about you? What kind of statement does your conduct in the world say about your faith….. your Jesus? Do you live on Monday what you are taught on Sunday? Remember you may be the only Gospel that many people will ever read. Actions speak louder than words. Don’t risk being unlike your Christ. Someone’s eternal life may be determined by it.

by John Grant
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John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

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FURTHER READING

•  The Walk of Obedience – by Mary Pinckney

•  Blessed Obedience – by Ideletter McVicker

•  God Requires Risky Obedience – by Jon Walker

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For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10


So a legend says, one day a rancher saw an unbroken egg that had fallen out of an eagle’s nest. He carefully picked it up and placed it in the nest of a prairie chicken to see what would happen. In due time, the egg hatched along with all the other eggs in the nest.

The mother hen raised all the chicks in her brood to grow up and be adult prairie chickens forever looking for meager sustenance and pecking the rocky desert ground. Soon all the chicks became adults and were on their own, still pecking the bare ground.

One day the bird that didn’t look like all the rest, though he acted like all the rest, looked up and saw an eagle soaring on thermals of a hot summer day. As he looked in amazement, he thought how wonderful it would be to fly like that and went back to pecking the ground.

Are you settling for something less than God’s best for you? If so, you need to spread your wings and fly. God wants you to be all that He created you to be.

The little eagle’s mother and father kept telling him that he was a prairie chicken and trained him accordingly. As such, he never rose from the ground.

Often people and the world around us tell us that we too were meant to be less than God created us to be. He created each of us to be someone very special. Are you being all He created you to be?

We all know the Stradivarius violins to be the greatest ever made. But they weren’t made to be seen. They were made to be played. Of the some six hundred remaining, there is one on display at Oxford University, that has never been played. Lost for more than two hundred years, it remains in its original condition. Its melodious tones have never been heard by anyone and no bow has ever crossed its strings.

God created you to rise above the world and soar like an eagle. “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Soar like an eagle and never resort to being a prairie chicken!

By John Grant
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FURTHER READING

Soar Like an Eagle – by Helen Lescheid

• What Is Your Strength – by Phil Ware

Hope in the Lord – by Phil Ware

thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men


A new year is sort of like a blank slate, but not really, because we can’t erase all things from years before, yet God can. Yes, we must still pay the price and carry the scars of mistakes long ago, but we can lay all of that at the foot of the cross as we start anew. The real question is whether we have let our earthly challenges blur our vision of the basics of our faith and a new year is the best time.

The best exercise is to go back to the basics. When the legend coach Vince Lombardi’s team wasn’t doing well, He got them back to basics by standing in front of them with a round leather object in his hand and said: “Gentlemen, this is a football.” We too need to get back to the basics of the Christian faith.

Here are some ideas to get us to the basis of our faith in this New Year:

•    I am God’s child (John 1:12)

•    I am Christ’s friend (John 15:15 )

•    I am united with the Lord (1 Corinthians 6:17)

•    I am bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

•    I am a saint (set apart for God). (Ephesians 1:1)

•    I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)

•    I am the salt & light of the earth (Matthew 5:13-14)

•    I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27)

•    I am free forever from condemnation ( Romans 8: 1-2)

•    I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Philippians 3:20)

•    I am free from any charge against me (Romans 8:31 -34)

•    I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)

•    I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18)

•    I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6)

•    I cannot be separated from the love of God (Romans 8:35-39)

•    I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Corinthians 1:21-22 )

•    I am assured all things work together for good (Romans 8:28)

•    I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )

•    I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3: 12 )

•    I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)

•    I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)

•    I am God’s temple (1 Corinthians 3: 16)

•    I am complete in Christ (Colossians 2: 10)

•    I am hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)

•    I have been justified (Romans 5:1)

•    I am God’s co-worker (1 Corinthians 3:9)

•    I am God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)

•    I am confident the good works God has begun in me will be perfected.
(Philippians 1: 6)

•    I have been redeemed and forgiven (Colossians 1:14)

•    I have been adopted as God’s child (Ephesians 1:5)

•    I belong to God.

Thank you Lord God, that I can know for sure who I am and also Whose I am. Amen.

by John Grant
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FURTHER READING

What Does it Mean to Love God?  by Helen Lescheid

• Do You Look Both Ways?  by Julie Cosgrove

Possessing the Redeemer’s Mind by Francis Frangipane


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thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men


“The angels left them and went back to heaven. The shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:15


Christmas time is a season when many people are more interested in the present than the past. But, it is the past that Christmas is all about. It started over two millenniums ago with a baby in a manger when God became incarnate in man.

There were shepherds in the fields attending their sheep. They were itinerant in that they had no home and lived a nomadic lifestyle following the green pastures and cool waters, such as they were, in the barren lands around Judea.

Sheep are defenseless animals and the only protection they have comes from their shepherd. Consequently, if left alone to fend for themselves, they are in great danger. On the flip side the only net worth a shepherd had was in his sheep. If he lost them, he lost everything he owned.

One needs to understand this to comprehend the risk and commitment the shepherds made to leave their flocks and journey to Bethlehem. It was more that a casual evening walk to town.

They were minding their own business, keeping watch over their flocks when an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” In (Luke 2:16) we learn that made no delay as they “hurried off” and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

How about you this Christmas? Will you be answering the call to the mall, hustling off to buy gifts, thinking of the present or will your thoughts be aimed at Bethlehem of years gone by?

God is calling you to go to Bethlehem to see the Jesus of whom the angels spoke. No, he is not still in a feeding trough and you don’t have to literally travel to Bethlehem, but through His Word you can follow the star and find Jesus.

The shepherds left with no delay and in full obedience to find the Lord of heaven. They left everything of worth and let the sheep fend for themselves. Have you been putting off this going to Bethlehem? Have you not wanted to risk losing what you have to make the journey? Are you delaying to not risk what you cannot keep for the sake of missing that which you cannot lose?

So let’s all celebrate the season by focusing not on the presents but rather on the Lord of the manger. Let’s all go to Bethlehem this Christmas.

By John Grant
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney
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Further Reading

•  Christmas Prayers

Christmas Articles

Christmas Poems


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thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men


“Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all the people; for today in the City of David there has been born for you a Savior who is Christ the Lord.”  Luke 2:10


So just what do you see and just what do others see in celebration of Christmas? Can those who go to parties mistake it as a time of merriment? Can those who cruise the malls with ever expanding bags of gifts and an every decreasing credit line mistake it as a time to give and get the material gifts of life? Can those who just read the Christmas story and overlook the majesty of the moment mistake it as a mere historical event? So just what is the significance of the birth of the Christ Child?

I recently heard a Jewish man talking about why he wore the skullcap, known as a kipa in the Hebrew language. I was fascinated at his explanation, as it opened my eyes as to another perspective on the birth of Christ.

When I asked, he said he would be delighted to write it down and send it to me and the following is the note he sent to me:

I am happy to share with you the reason Orthodox Jews and other people of faith wear the skullcap (kipa). Since the time of Abraham, we have understood the greatness of the Creator of us all. To demonstrate that, we acknowledge that he is everything and although he has created in his own image, there exists a great separation between him and us as there is a separation between heaven and earth. To demonstrate that separation, our humility, love and obedience to him, we wear the skullcap.”

That gave me a whole new perspective on my Christian faith. If those people who are still looking for the Messiah need to demonstrate a separation between man and God, then we as Christians need to understand that Christ’s coming as Savior and Lord connected that separation between man and God.

Jesus came to take off my kipa. The sin established in the Garden of Eden separated us from God until a baby born in a manger later shed His blood so that sin would no longer separate me from my Creator. He was not only mighty in creation, but mighty in salvation. He conquered my obstruction and when he ripped the temple vale, He restored my separation from my Creator.

So, as you celebrate Christmas remember that because of the baby in the manger, your head is bare and you have direct access to the one who created you.

By John Grant
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Further Reading

•  Christmas Articles

Christmas Prayers

Christmas Quotes


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And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” – Genesis 22:14 (NKJV)


It is one of my very favorite names of God and one that through the years has meant the most to me. Jehovah-Jireh means “The Lord will provide“. God revealed Himself as the Lord who would provide way back in Genesis. Abraham was about ready to sacrifice his son Isaac on an altar at the top of a desolate mountain in the land of Moriah.

When they were near the top, Isaac said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering? And Abraham said, ‘God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering my son.'” Just as Abraham was about to sacrifice his son, the Lord stopped him and showed him a ram caught in a thicket and told him to use that instead. God had placed that ram nearby in advance, knowing He was going to need a substitute for Isaac.

Abraham named the place “The Lord Will Provide.” It means to see in advance or before the need is known. God is preparing an answer before we know that it is a need.

We live in a scary world. The economy is rocky, job security is uncertain and unexpected medical challenges happen out of the blue. About the only thing in this world that is certain is uncertainly.

One of the hardest things I have to do is to let go and let God. I want to run my world, my way and on my schedule. It’s like getting on an airplane. I relax and enjoy the flight knowing that I am in good hands and the pilot is in command. We need to do the same thing with our life.

As the pilot will navigate the plane around the storms in the sky, God will steer is through or around the storms of life. That’s easier said than done for people like me. There are difficulties along the way, but with God’s strength we can face them with confidence. We should thank God for each problem we encounter and watch Him transform our trials into blessings.

We are often taken by surprise by circumstances and events in our lives. God never is. He knows in advance all that is going to transpire. He cares. He has provision ready for us. God truly is Jehovah-Jireh. Relax and remember that God is in control.

By John Grant
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John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

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Further Reading

• The God Who Provides – A Devotional by Palitha Jayasooriya

God Provides for His Own – by Katherine Kehler

Burn Out Refill –  by Julie Cosgrove


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When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:30-31

It may just be me, but the world seems to have lost its way. And too many of us in our personal lives seem more affected than ever by all that is going on around us. But God through Isaiah reminds us— “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.”

Sin still lingers, evil rears its head, and grows as darkness surrounds us. Personal lives and families continue to struggle. Illness unexpectedly hits, and heart-wrenching losses leave us empty. Families climb financial mountains unable to meet expenses as prices soar. But again, God says through His prophet Isaiah— “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.”

People continue to make decisions detrimental to their lives, to lives entrusted to them, and to the lives of others who follow their example. And God promises to help and guide them as He says again through Isaiah— “I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

Through all that’s going on within us and around us, God is still there. God is good. Still worthy. Faithful. Still lifting. Caring. Embracing each one of us in His strong and everlasting arms. God is still there. Hope reigns. God’s amazing grace is there. In the midst of whatever God’s unfailing love remains.

My friends in the midst of whatever—God remains. God is still there. In the midst of whatever, God is above all. And He promises through Isaiah that “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles…”

In the midst of whatever—God. Hope. Amazing grace. Unfailing love.

For you. For me. Forever.

By John Grant
Used by Permission
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

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Further Reading

• Unfailing Love – A Devotional by Daniel Forster

God’s Unfailing Love – Devotional by Charles Stanley

The Relentless Tide of Gods Love – by Gail Rodgers


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thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men


“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28


It was an interesting scenario as I stood in the check-in line at the airport. A man ahead of us was told that his bag was too heavy. He decided to open it and rearrange things, as it looked like everything had been thrown in. After neatly folding everything, the suitcase shut more easily, but when he put it on the scales, there was no difference in weight of course.

The agent told him that he just couldn’t take it all without paying an additional fee. He opened the suitcase by a trashcan and began throwing away articles until he got to an acceptable weight. Finally under the limit, he checked the suitcase and proceeded to the gate.

Watching this unfold led me to a spiritual parallel. Most of us are overloaded with all sorts of things, most of which are in a state of disarray. Sometimes we think that we can reorganize more neatly and our burdens will go away. But, we find that we are still on overload, but in a more organized overload.

What we really need is to unload some of the junk, worries, cares and burdens from our life. The Bible tells us where to start.

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.I Peter 5:7

Notice this verse doesn’t say just enough to get under the weight limit. It says to give all of our worries and cares to God.

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalm 55:22

By John Grant
Used by Permission
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

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Further Reading

• Take Rest Oh My Weary Soul– by Mary Pinckney

Soulful Rest – by Jan Steward

Renewed and Revitalized  by Terry Stead


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Photo Credit: Svein Halvor Halvorsen  https://www.flickr.com/photos/sveinhal/
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thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men


“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. “ 1 Peter 5:6-7

Perhaps you remember the poster boy of Mad Magazine, Alfred E. Neuman, always with the tag line of: “What, me worry?” God didn’t create us to worry. It is an acquired worldly skill. He says to trust Him and refuse to worry.

We all have those days when we feel wobbly as we look at perceived difficult times looming ahead, measuring them against our own strength. Usually they are not that day’s tasks, but are somewhere in the future. Some that may never happen at all. God wants us to leave them in the future and focus on the present. He promises us to empower us to handle each task as it comes along. Worry drains us of our ability to focus on God.

Have you ever stopped to think that humans are the only creatures capable of anticipating future events? That can be a blessing when used right, but also a curse when it causes us to have excessive worry about the future.

Peace does not come with excessive planning and attempting to control what happens in the future. We lose God’s peace when our minds spin with multiple plans. Just when we think we have prepared for all possibilities, something unexpected pops up and throws life into confusion.

God did not design us to figure out the future. It is beyond our capability. He crafted our mind for continual communication with and trust in Him. He says to bring Him all our needs, hopes and fears and commit everything to His care.

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9.

Commit your way to the Lord and trust in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.”
Psalm 37:5.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:33-34

Give it a try. Turn from the path of planning to the peace and He will give you a peace which passes all human understanding.

By John Grant
Used by Permission
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

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FURTHER READING

 

thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men


“Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.”  Ecclesiastes 7:9


When I looked out of the front of my house, I noticed that the local authorities had placed barricades saying “road closed”. They also erected similar signs in several places as far as a half mile away, along with detour signs. Surprisingly many cars ignored the warnings and came right up to my driveway to turn around. One man even got out and tried to remove the barricades and another drove through the side yard and out the front of my neighbor’s yard.

We don’t like roadblocks, do we?

Roadblocks slow us down. They get in our way. They are an inconvenience. They impede our progress. For some reason, we think the signs are for people who don’t have as much sense as we do.

God will sometimes position roadblocks in front of us that call for our immediate decision to stop or go in another direction. We need to listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit and go in the direction He tells us to go.

I’ve heard of people at railroad crossings who saw the red lights flashing, bells ringing, the train approaching, and still they attempted to race across the tracks. Some people have been fortunate to “outrun” the train. Some people have not been so fortunate.

The same is true of people who drive around roadblocks set up during flooding. These people see the water running over the bridge, but the water appears low enough to go across safely. Regrettably, halfway across, the vehicle they’re in stalls and they have to be pulled out by a rescue team. Or worse, the driver gets washed away.

How many times have you and I been so headstrong and plowed ahead ignoring all the visible signs to stop? If you disobey the Spirit’s leading, the odds of ending in failure are greater than the odds of ending in success. When things aren’t working according to your plans, you must believe God has put the roadblock up for your own protection.

Roadblocks, whether placed by man or by God are for our protection. Sometimes God wants to protect us. Sometimes He wants to lead us in a different direction. And, sometimes God wants to just slow us down and wait. Whatever the reasons, roadblocks are there for our benefit. God wants us to grow and sometimes that means going in a different direction.

How do you respond to the roadblocks of life?

By John Grant
Used by Permission
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

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Further Reading

• The Map of Life – by John Grant

The Road Ahead – by Laura Rath

Don’t Turn Back – by Katherine Kehler


thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men