Making All Things New

CreationSpeech.com

God is amazing!  I really had no idea what I was going to write this morning.  I knew I wanted it to have something to do with the coming new year, but I wasn't sure where to start.  And then...out of nowhere, I ran across John 14:1-3.  Jesus tells us "Let not your heart be troubled...I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also".

In regards to the new year, I think Jesus is telling us, "Don't worry...I'm preparing a place for you in 2020...a new year for you.  I'm already there, and where I am, well...if you believe in Me; if you follow Me...you'll be there, as well."

I know God doesn't want us to dwell on the past, and I know He doesn't want us to worry about the future.  He wants us to rest in Him, and enjoy the present.  He wants us to know that He's taking care of everything.  He has plans to "...prosper us and not to harm us". (Jeremiah 29:11).

"Our hope is not in the new year; our hope is in the One who makes all things new".

"And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”
                                    Revelation 21:5

Sometimes The Inn Is Crowded

"Are you part of the Inn crowd, or are you one of the Stable few?"

I found this quote this morning, and it really made me think.  I think we all love a good vacation; I know I do!  I love being able to get away.  Sometimes we get to stay in a nice hotel room and just sit back and relax.  We may have a great view, and we get to sleep in a nice, cozy bed.  Who wouldn't enjoy this!

I'm sure Mary would've loved such luxuries after her long, hard journey.  Instead she found herself in labor, and all she longed for was a quiet place to rest.  However, all she found was a crowded Inn with no room for her or her Baby.  And although it wasn't the most comfortable place and definitely not the most appealing, I'm sure Mary was grateful for the manger where her Son was born.

Often times, I believe the Lord takes us out of our comfort zones because He has plans to give us something better, but we have to be willing to follow Him.   Mary and Joseph were willing to go where the Lord wanted them, even if it meant they had to leave their home and travel far.  

 

Sometimes the "Inn" is crowded, and we have to go to the peace and quiet of the "Stable".

"And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in
                    swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there
                    was no room for them in the inn."
                                    Luke 2:7

Just Breathe

Think On These Things

Lyn Meredith

Do you know that the definition of the word "think" means to reflect on or ponder?  And "ponder" means to think with thoroughness and care.  In Phillipians 4:8, the Apostle Paul tells us "to think about things that are true, noble (good), right, pure, lovely, admirable, anything that is praiseworthy".  In other words, I think Paul is telling us to think positive thoughts.  For me, this has always been hard. I fight daily with this, and I'm trying to overcome it.  I'm trying to train my mind to see the good in everything.  I'm learning that t's not necessarily about what happens in your life, it's about how you handle it.  And for me, the best way to handle it is to simply focus on and talk to God.

Although this world is filled with things that can cloud our thinking, we should try to "think" on thoughts that honor the Lord.  Replace those negative and foolish thoughts with loving and realistic thoughts.  Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

"Beautiful things happens when you distance yourself from negativity."

 

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever
 is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
                                                                                                  Phillipians 4:8

Never Alone

I don't know about you, but there are days that I feel so alone.  I feel so overwhelmed by life and all of its problems.  But Jesus tells us that we are never alone; He is always with us. “God is with you – wherever you may go and no matter what life brings.” (Joshua 1:9).  God is closer than your very breath.

You may be going through some trials or suffering right now.  You may feel lost and all alone, but God knows exactly where you are right now, and He has a plan for your life.  God knows you...He knows your very name.  He has known you since before you were ever born.  He loves you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3)  He is in love with you.  Don't you think that means that He's looking out for you?  You are the apple of His eye.  You are so precious to Him, and He will never leave your side.

He wants you to pray with your eyes on Him and not on your difficulties or your situation.  Truly get to know Him.  Devote your time to Him and develop a real relationship with Him.  You need the certainty of God's loving presence in your life to weather the storms.  Knowing God is the ultimate protection from sinking during these storms.

You are never alone.  God will never leave you.

...God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you..."
                                    Deuteronomy 31:6

Always Giving Thanks

History declares that the first Thanksgiving was held by the pilgrims in the 17th century.  At that time, it wasn't considered or even called Thanksgiving, it was just a harvest celebration shared with the Wampanoag Indian tribe.  In 1623, the Pilgrims did hold what they called "Thanksgiving" - a religious day of prayer and fasting.  Over the years, the two events became linked, and it was celebrated as a Thanksgiving feast.  George Washington originally declared that Thanksgiving be observed on the last Thursday of November in 1789.  However, it wasn't until 1863 that Abraham Lincoln actually declared it a national holiday.

This is how I've always thought of Thanksgiving; a day to be thankful for all that we have.  But then I saw this sign, "Thanksgiving is not a holiday; it's a lifestyle."  I've never really thought of it this way.  I mean...yes, I know we are to be thankful, and I do thank God each day.  But maybe we do need to remember to make sure that we're thanking Him in every little thing - no matter how we feel - we are to thank God.  God tells us "In every thing give thanks..." (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Sarah Young, author of "Jesus Calling", writes "You give God thanks regardless of your feelings, and He gives you joy regardless of your circumstances".  In other words, whether we feel like thanking God or not, we need to do it.  Then when hard times hit, we'll have God's joy.  "Thankfulness opens your heart to God's presence and your mind to His thoughts".

So, during this Thanksgiving season and all through the year, I challenge you, as well as myself, to thank God even when we're not "feeling" it.

"Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything..."
                        Ephesians 5:20

Walk With Jesus

Used to think You didn't care,
I, was just a pawn in the game You were playin'
Puttin' walls up everywhere
Never thought You heard a word I was prayin'

I stood in the way
When I needed to run to You
But I was too proud to say

Take away the blindness
Lead me through the dark
Don't let me fall apart
Save me from my bitterness
Show me who I am
Make me who You want me to be
I know I pushed You away
Lookin' for someone to blame, yeah
Now I can see, I've been my own worst enemy

Who was I to sit and judge?
Always pointing my crooked finger
Holding tight onto a grudge
All along I was a chief of sinners

I stood in the way
When I needed to run to You
Lord, I was too proud to say

Take away the blindness
Lead me through the dark
Don't let me fall apart
Save me from my bitterness
Show me who I am
Make me who You want me to be
I know I pushed You away
Lookin' for someone to blame, yeah
Now I can see, I've been my own worst enemy

No You never gave up on me!
No You never gave up on me!
No You never gave up on me!

Take away the blindness
Lead me through the dark
Don't let me fall apart
Save me from my bitterness
Show me who I am
Make me who You want me to be
I know I pushed You away
Lookin' for someone to blame, yeah
Now I can see, I've been my own worst enemy
Oh oh!
Now I can see, I've been my own worst enemy
Oh, oh!
Now I can see, I've been my own worst enemy

No You never gave up on me!
No You never gave up on me!
No You never gave up on me!

As some of you may know, this is a song by the Christian group, Newsboys.  It's not only one of my favorites, I feel like it's a life-saving message for me.  You see I did do this.  I pushed God away more than I realized.  And though this is hard for me to admit, because I'm so ashamed, I did feel like a pawn in God's game.  But instead of running away from God, I should've have been running to God.

I've been saved for many years now, but I don't think I ever truly grew in the Lord.  A few years ago I started reading a devotional book by Sarah Young called "Jesus Calling".  I thank my precious Mother for giving me this book.  I felt like Jesus was actually talking to me, and the more I read, the more time I spent with Him, the closer we became.  Now I have a real relationship with my Father.  We talk every morning as we walk together on "our own little beach".  I'm still not perfect, but I have grown so much closer to my Lord.

I pray that you have a beautiful relationship with God.  There's nothing in this world that will make you happier.

Just Breathe

In All Things

With the beginning of November, I always think of Thanksgiving.  And although we should give thanks every day, it seems that this month makes me especially mindful of all I have to be thankful for.

I have my family, my friends, my health, and most of all, I have my relationship with my Lord.  I'm thankful each and every morning for the time I have to spend with Him.  I'm thankful that He gave His life for me so that I might be saved and could spend eternity with Him. I'm thankful that He wants a relationship with me.

I'm thankful for the sunrises the Lord gives me and for the beautiful sunsets He paints for me every afternoon.  I'm thankful for the very breath He gives me.  There truly is so much to be thankful for, and we need to really sit and think about this
sometimes.  And while I don't always do this myself, I do believe that "the most beautiful way to start and end the day is with a grateful heart".

I challenge you this month to really stop and think about all you have to be grateful for.

"In all things give thanks..."
1 Thessalonians 5:18

No Matter the Struggle

In Matthew 14:29-31, we read where Jesus walked on the water, and Peter asked to join him.  But then Peter lost his focus on Jesus, and instead, he focused on the storm around them, and he began to sink.

How many times do we lose our focus on Jesus?  Life has many struggles that we must face, but the key to getting through them is to keep our eyes on Jesus.

I don't know about you, but when I face a situation that's scary or feels over-whelming, I tend to worry.  Well when we worry, we lose our focus on Jesus.  That's not what He wants.  He wants us to trust Him.  When we become afraid or we start to worry, we have to change our focus back to Jesus.  Focusing on the "storm" in your life is only going to make it seem worse.

You may ask, but how do I focus on Jesus?  I believe the best ways to focus on Him is to pray, spend time with Him, read His word, praise Him, and give Him thanks.  Just talk to Jesus like He's your very best friend because He is, you know.

So the next time that "storm" arises in your life, the next time you start to worry, just remember..."No matter the struggle, keep your eyes on Jesus".

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus..."
Hebrews 12:2

One True Friend

"My Friend"
Helen Thomas Robson

"What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!"

This has got to be one of the sweetest songs I've ever heard.  Just the first line, "What a friend we have in Jesus," says it all.  You know we have friends here on this earth; some are lasting, some are fleeting, but none measure up to the friend we have in Jesus!

A friend is defined as "a person who you know well and who you like a lot" or as "a favored companion".  Who knows us better than Jesus?  He loves us despite everything we've done.

A friend is someone who you can talk to, confide in, and share your secrets with.  A true friend is one who stays with you through the good times and the bad.

Jesus is that one true friend!

"A friend loves at all times..."
Proverbs 17:17

Just Breathe

Through God's Eyes

Yesterday we had a nice little family reunion with my parents, brothers, and sisters, etc...  Sounds nice, right?  Well it ended up being so, but beforehand, I was a nervous wreck.  I'm sure that sounds really strange to you, and it is, but you see I suffer from anxiety.  So any little thing can make me anxious.

I can't tell you how miserable I was before this reunion.  I cried, I panicked, and I had myself all worked up.  I talked to God, and I talked to myself.  Why?  Why was I so afraid of being around my family?  They are a wonderful family.  I mean these are people I love and grew up with, so why am I so anxious when it comes time to be around them.

Then, as I was reading my devotion yesterday, I read this:  "Beware of seeing yourself through other people's eyes".  Was that it?  Was I so afraid of how they view me?  None of them have ever given me any reason to feel that way, and I realized it's me.  I see myself this way, and I think I'm projecting this onto my family - onto everyone around me.  Because I suffer from social anxiety, I automatically assume that others are judging me.  I feel inferior; I'm afraid of doing or saying something that will make me feel stupid or embarass me.  This is all me; I'm learning that.

We can't discern how others feel about us, and God doesn't want us to feel this way.  He doesn't want us to try and please others; He only wants us to please Him.  When we try to please others, it takes away from our desire to please God.  God wants us to see ourselves through His eyes...as one who is deeply and eternally loved.

"When a man's ways please the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him."
Proverbs 16:7

Just Breathe

God Has A Solution

I don't know about you, but most days I struggle with life's situations or circumstances.  I definitely don't handle them as well as I should, and I usually don't understand them.  This is when it is so important for us to trust God. ("Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." Proverbs 3:5)

So many times I wonder why this is happening or what is going on in my life.  The problem here is that I'm human; I don't think like God.  His ways are higher than mine.  He can see beyond this day, beyond this moment.  He sees the big picture.  We have to trust that God knows what He's doing.  He is doing what's best
for us.  We may not see it right now, but one day we will.  We'll look back at a moment in our life and realize that God was at work the whole time.

Just try to remember a time that you didn't understand what was happening in your life, and now look at that situation and how God worked it out.  "Go to sleep...God already has a solution."

"Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.'"
John 13:7

Just Breathe

Keep Going

Do you ever have those days when you feel so defeated?  I know I do.  Actually today was one of them.  I was trying so hard to try and find something to write about.  I was searching for what God was going to put on my heart to write.  There were so many distractions; I just couldn't seem to concentrate.  So yes, I was feeling defeated, but then I saw it...a little sign.  It said "Get back up" - God

Isn't it amazing how He steps in at just the right moment to help us with our troubles.  So often I let life defeat me because I'm too busy worrying, or too busy trying to do things on my own...when all I have to do is stop and pray.  Just tell Jesus what's troubling you.  Just talk to Him.  He already knows, He just wants to hear it from you.

Every prayer, every whisper, every tear...He hears them all.  Don't you know the Lord is cheering you on?  He wants you to be victorious!  So keep on trying, keep on trusting, and keep on believing!  Don't give up!  You can do this with God!

"...When my heart is overwhelmed;  Lead me to the rock that is higher than I."
Psalm 61:2

Just Breathe

God Is Already There

"Faith tells me that no matter what lies ahead of me, God is already there."

I ran across this quote this morning, and while I know it to be true, it's still hard sometimes not to be afraid.  After all, we are only human.

Maybe you're facing a really scary situation right now...an illness, money problems, family problems...the list goes on and on.  When we're going through these situations, we often feel scared, alone, depressed, anxious; this is the time we need God the most.  The good news is that no matter what is going on in our lives, we can take comfort in knowing that wherever we go, God is there with us.  "...For the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." Joshua 1:9 NIV

Friends, family, and even those who are closest to us may not really understand what we're going through, but God does, and He cares.  Trust Him...His arms are wide open, and He's just waiting to hold you and take care of you.

"What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee."
Psalm 56:3

What Is A Friend?

What is a friend?  I have my own definition of what I believe a friend to
be, but I actually researched this.  While I found several definitions of the word "friend", the one I really liked was "a favored companion".

This is how I feel about Jesus.  A "favored companion".  Jesus is so much more than this to me.  He's my Lord, my God, my Savior, my Father, my King, but to me - He's also my very best friend!  I can turn to Him, and I can tell Him anything.  I want to share everything with Him.

Even my closest friends and family here on this earth don't know everything about me.  There's things I hide from everyone, but not Jesus.  Not only can I not hide anything from Him, I've learned that I don't want to hide anything from Him.

And Jesus tells us in John 15:14, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."  Isn't that awesome!  Jesus calls us His friends.  What an honor!  And you'll never have a greater friend than Jesus Christ!

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:13

Curiosity Has No Fear

As I stepped outside this morning, the first thing I noticed was the beautiful hummingbirds outside.  They were flying about and chasing each other; not a care in the world.  They have a way of opening our eyes and our hearts to the beauty and wonders of the world around us.

Hummingbirds are so bright, so coloful, so free and full of life.  Their curiosity has no fear.  I believe God put them here, not only as a reminder of His beautiful creation, but to teach us not to live in fear.  He wants us to be curious, He wants us to learn; to be filled with His joy and light.  He wants us to "hover from flower to flower" and follow His path of peace; He wants us to live in the moment.

So the next time you see a little hummingbird flitting nearby, sit back, enjoy its beauty, and think about what it truly represents.

"What if I fall?  Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?"
Author Unknown

Summer's Wave Goodbye

Ah...welcome September!  This is the beginning of my Fall for me, and Fall is my favorite season of the year.  I love the cool, crisp air; the colors of sunset among the trees.  I love to sit and watch as the fallen leaves dance along the street on a windy day.  The smell of warm apples, cinnamon,  and pumpkin spice fill the air.  It's just a peaceful time of year for me.

Fall is proof that change can be beautiful.  The falling leaves are God's way of showing us how amazing it can be to just let things go.  Fall is simply summer's wave goodbye.  I hope you'll take the time to sit back, and enjoy the beauty of this time of year.  Enjoy God's peace and tranquility.

"And all at once, summer collapsed into fall."
Oscar Wilde

Just Breathe

Let Go of the Door Knob

What do you picture when you think of God's plan for your life?  Do you picture finishing school, getting married, having a family?  I think most of us do.

However, that's not all that God has planned for you.  And so often, we don't follow God's plan, we try to follow our own. This is when God begins closing doors and opening new ones.

Many times we pray to God for what we want, but we forget to pray for what God wants.  Things might not always go as we planned, but it doesn't mean it's over.  When God "closes a door", He opens another one; a better one.  We just have to trust Him.

I believe that sometimes God closes doors because it's time for us to move on, but He knows we won't move unless our circumstances force us to.  We should thank Him for closing doors we're not strong enough to close and for opening doors we're not strong enough to open.

Nothing that has happened to us is a surprise to God.  He will still get us where He wants us to be.  If He wants a door open, He will open it.  If it doesn't open, then it's not our door.

If God shuts a door, stop banging on it!  Trust that whatever is behind it wasn't meant for you.

"If you want God to close and open doors, let go of the door knob."
Toby Mac

Just Breathe

I Still Have A Plan

I was inspired by a quote that I saw this morning by Christian artist, Toby Mac.  "When we think it's too late, God whispers, "I still have a plan".

This made me stop and think.  Often I sit and think about my past mistakes, my failures.  Yes, I know, we're not supposed to do that; we're not to dwell on the past.  Unfortunately, this is something I have a problem with.  Therefore, I frequently regret things I've said, things I've done.  I feel like I've wasted my life on these mistakes.  Needless to say, I sometimes feel like "it's too late".

You know what I'm learning though?  It's never too late.  The mistakes we've made along the way were not failures, they were lessons.  We were meant to get back up again.  We were meant to try again.  If you haven't seen your dreams come true, then make new ones!  Start again!  Don't give up!  God hasn't, and He never will.

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."
C.S. Lewis

Talk To God

Each morning I wake up, brush my hair, freshen up, and I escape to "my own little beach" with God.  I meet Him there at the ocean's edge, and we walk hand in hand as we talk.  I start each day off talking to God.  I couldn't even begin to make it through my day without Him.

I didn't always do this.  I didn't always take the time to be with my Lord like I should have.  I was too busy rushing around and planning for the day ahead.  But a couple of years ago, I started reading Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling".  It's a great devotional, by the way, if you haven't read it.  It's like Jesus is actually talking to you. I don't really remember how or when it happened, but I started getting up every morning to read this devotional, and I really started praying to God.  Oh yeah, I always prayed, but not like this.  This became the biggest part of my morning "ritual", and now...I can't even think about not talking to God before I do anything else.  My day just isn't the same.

I encourage you to take the time to talk to God, just to be with Him.  I promise you won't regret it, and you'll find yourself getting closer and closer to Him each day.

"Prayer is a conversation with God, and God is my friend."
Joyce Meyer

Just Breathe

First Day In Heaven

Have you ever sat and wondered what your first day in Heaven would be like? I have...

"Welcome Home"
Danny Hahlbohm

I imagine myself at the foot of a long and winding stairway ascending up into the clouds, and there waiting at the top of the stairs is my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I can see Him with arms opened wide, ready to receive me
into His arms and His home forever.

The joy that I feel as He embraces me is like nothing else I've ever felt. I can finally truly look into His eyes and touch His beautiful face. I feel so safe and secure...such peace, such joy, such love.  Tears stream from my eyes as I look into His. I'm finally home. It's been a long journey, but it's been worth it...just to see His face. I've imagined it so many times throughout my life. But nothing I've imagined can ever compare to this!

And when He speaks "Welcome Home" to me, I just melt at His feet.

Have you ever imagined what your first day Home would be like?

Just Breathe

Talk To Me

Some days it seems I am just at a loss for words.  No matter how I pray or how I try, I just can't seem to find the inspiration I need.  Today is one of those days.  But you know, I don't give up.  Jesus tells us to "Pray without ceasing" (I Thessalonians 5:17).  So I just keep praying and seeking God's wisdom...God's words.

And you know what...even as I'm writing this, I just read this..."Stop stressing.  I will get you through this. -God

Isn't that amazing!  Especially considering that I've really been stressing out alot lately.  I just read the other day in my "Jesus Calling" devotional by Sarah Young - (I love this book!) that God speaks to us in many ways.  Sometimes He speaks to us through His word, or through a friend.  Maybe He even speaks to us through nature - the flutters of a butterflies wings, the whisper of the wind...God speaks to us.  We just have to listen.

"My heart has heard You say, "Come and talk to me."  And my heart responds, "Lord, I am coming."  (Unknown - Psam 27:8)

Has Jesus spoken to your heart today?  Pay attention - He might just be calling your name right now.

"When thou said, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek."
                                          Psalm 27:8

Just Breathe

Live For Today

"Live in the present", "enjoy the moment"...how many times have we heard these words?  This has always been a problem for me, and as a result, I suffer from both anxiety and depression.  Anxiety can be caused by worrying about the future, while depression often stems from past failures or regrets.  So when people say these words, they actually know what they're talking about.

Jesus never meant for us to take on more than one day at a time.  That's all He equipped us to deal with.  He never meant for us to worry.  ("Be anxious for nothing..."  Phillipians 4:6).  He wants us to bring our troubles to Him.  We have to give these things to God, and let Him handle them.

We have to stop dwelling on the past, it won't heal the hurt we experienced.  Satan wants us to worry, it keeps us from doing what God wants us to do.  We need to close the door on the past, not worry about the future, and focus on the present.  No amount of regret can change the past, and no amount of worry can change the future.

"The past is our lesson, the present is our gift, and the future is our hope." (Unknown)

Are you living for today?

"This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24

Just Breathe

There's Just Something About That Name

"Head of Christ"
Warner Sallman

"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; there's just something about that name.

Master, Savior, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain;

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all Heaven and earth proclaim

Kings and kingdoms will all pass away

But there's something about that name"

This song was written and composed by Bill and Gloria Gaither in 1970.  It's always been one of my favorites.  Just the sound of Jesus' name on my lips brings me comfort.  And you know the Lord tells us that when we're scared, when we feel lost or distant from Him, all we have to do is just whisper His name.

Are you scared today?  Is there something troubling you?  Are you at your wits end with worry?  Or are you trying to find Jesus today?  Just whisper His name...He's always there.

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name 

under Heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12 (NIV)

Just Breathe

Just Breathe

Just Breathe

Just Breathe

When God Holds Your Hand

Each morning, in my heart, I meet our Lord Jesus on the beach and began my walk with Him for the day.  And each day, He holds my hand as we walk.  Just knowing that He's there with me as I travel the day's path brings me peace and comfort.  But it never fails that fear tries to creep in.

You know Jesus tells us over and over again not to fear.  Yet fear tends to be one of my biggest problems, and I believe it's Satan's biggest weapon that he uses against us.  Fear can cause anxiety, worry, depression; it can be overwhelming.  Just the anticipation of certain events in our lives can bring about fear, and often these things never even happen.  We're worrying for nothing.

Jesus even says,  in Luke 12:25-26, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?  Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?"

Jesus tells us that He will never leave us, that He's always with us.  This is something I have to remind myself of when fear comes my way.  Trust does not come easy for me, but when we trust in Jesus, change will happen.  Fears will weaken, anxiety will fade away...we may still have fear in our lives, but it will loosen its hold on us.  When God holds your hand, He doesn't let go.

Are you holding Jesus' hand today?

“For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, 
saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”
Isaiah 41:13