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      "body": "https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/love-overpowers.png\n\n***“It is a joy for the just to do justice, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.” — Proverbs 21:15 (NKJV)***\n\n**EVIL**\n\nWhen someone hurts me, I think about evil, but talk myself into calling it “justice.” We all have an inborn longing for justice, but evil is much more present in us than we’d like to admit. Evil runs through us all like creeping vines in an untended garden.\n\nPain and life’s hurts cause me to forget what is valued, beautiful, and spiritual, especially when consumed by evil’s clinging, insatiable tentacles. While I should be sleeping, I lie awake and think about how to exact violent revenge and get away with it. My evil looks so delicious when I rehearse it in my mind on my bed; convincing myself it’s justice.\n\n**LOVE**\n\nLove overpowers evil. Love is radical, but cannot be fully realized until evil is completely exposed. Jesus Christ proved this on the cross when, as He was abused, was heard saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34 ESV).\n\nEvil has an inferiority complex and hates love. Like cancer, evil steals nutrients from its host.\n\nLove heals and forgives and sets things right without destroying. The only victim of love is evil. The intention of God expressed from Genesis through Revelation is to set the whole world right. All of creation is crying out for this, and this is part of the Christian task: “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause” (Isaiah 1:17 ESV).\n\nNew life in the Spirit produces a radical transformation of behavior in people that results in making things right. You get to work with God through the Spirit of Jesus to set things right. This is in your power. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that the world is a lost cause, throw your hands in the air, and retreat into your own private faith.\n\nWhen Christians protect the widow, correct oppression, and care for the fatherless, they’re bringing the new world God has planned for our future right here into the present. That is justice. Since this is God’s ultimate plan for creation, this is what we are working to do now.\n\nWe are ambassadors of a world where injustice will never exist.\n\nSince we believe that, let’s live that way now.\n\n----------\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"https://devotableapp.com\" target=\"_blank\"><img  src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/devotable_logo_black2.png\"></a></p>\nDevotable is a brand seeking to spread the word of God to everyone around the world.\n\nIf you like what we're doing, please connect with us. Resteem, upvote, follow and comment. We love to hear feedback.\n\n<a href=\"https://facebook.com/devotable\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/facebook.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/devotableapp\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/twitter.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/devotableapp/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/insta.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://www.pinterest.com/devotable/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/pinterest.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://devotableapp.com/feed\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rss.png\"></a>",
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      "body": "https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/love-overpowers.png\n\n***“It is a joy for the just to do justice, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.” — Proverbs 21:15 (NKJV)***\n\nEvil\nWhen someone hurts me, I think about evil, but talk myself into calling it “justice.” We all have an inborn longing for justice, but evil is much more present in us than we’d like to admit. Evil runs through us all like creeping vines in an untended garden.\n\nPain and life’s hurts cause me to forget what is valued, beautiful, and spiritual, especially when consumed by evil’s clinging, insatiable tentacles. While I should be sleeping, I lie awake and think about how to exact violent revenge and get away with it. My evil looks so delicious when I rehearse it in my mind on my bed; convincing myself it’s justice.\n\nLove\nLove overpowers evil. Love is radical, but cannot be fully realized until evil is completely exposed. Jesus Christ proved this on the cross when, as He was abused, was heard saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34 ESV).\n\nEvil has an inferiority complex and hates love. Like cancer, evil steals nutrients from its host.\n\nLove heals and forgives and sets things right without destroying. The only victim of love is evil. The intention of God expressed from Genesis through Revelation is to set the whole world right. All of creation is crying out for this, and this is part of the Christian task: “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause” (Isaiah 1:17 ESV).\n\nNew life in the Spirit produces a radical transformation of behavior in people that results in making things right. You get to work with God through the Spirit of Jesus to set things right. This is in your power. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that the world is a lost cause, throw your hands in the air, and retreat into your own private faith.\n\nWhen Christians protect the widow, correct oppression, and care for the fatherless, they’re bringing the new world God has planned for our future right here into the present. That is justice. Since this is God’s ultimate plan for creation, this is what we are working to do now.\n\nWe are ambassadors of a world where injustice will never exist.\n\nSince we believe that, let’s live that way now.\n\n----------\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"https://devotableapp.com\" target=\"_blank\"><img  src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/devotable_logo_black2.png\"></a></p>\nDevotable is a brand seeking to spread the word of God to everyone around the world.\n\nIf you like what we're doing, please connect with us. Resteem, upvote, follow and comment. We love to hear feedback.\n\n<a href=\"https://facebook.com/devotable\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/facebook.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/devotableapp\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/twitter.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/devotableapp/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/insta.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://www.pinterest.com/devotable/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/pinterest.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://devotableapp.com/feed\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rss.png\"></a>",
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      "body": "https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/failure.png\n\n***But now this is what the Lord says: “Do not weep any longer, for I will reward you,” says the Lord. “Your children will come back to you from the distant land of the enemy. There is hope for your future,” says the Lord. “Your children will come again to their own land.” — Jeremiah 31:16–17 (NLT)***\n\nHope Discovery of the Day:\nFailure is not the end - it is only a detour in the path of life.\n\nWe've all been there. That moment when your kid does something that grieves your heart. And it gets worse in the day of social media . . . their actions might reverberate across the internet. But there is hope for parents when our children fail.\n\nMeasuring the failure\nWe tend to want to avoid failure, right? Who wants to aim to fail? Yet sometimes we can go through seasons in this life where we just keep failing and our outlook can grow dismal. But sometimes we also might be calling something a failure that isn't.\n\nSo it is with our children. They will have their moments of victory and the lesser celebrated moments, too. And sometimes we might classify something as a failure that could be a turning point in the life of our children.\n\nIt can feel like a failure when we don't fully succeed in an endeavor, but was there some gain, after all? When our great God uses everything for our good and His glory, then perhaps even some good can come from our failure. When failure turns our heart back to God, it might actually be deemed as a success.\n\nWhen failure turns our heart back to God, it might actually be deemed as a success.\n\nAccepting the Failure\nStill, there are those heartbreaking moments when our children hurt . . . badly. They may have made a mistake in their relationship choice or failed a class. They might be struggling to even survive in this world. Trying to deny failure will not bring healing.\n\nTrying to deny failure will not bring healing.\n\nAccepting the cold hard facts - not condoning or enabling them - helps us to move from failure to success. Processing failure as reality, rather than trying to make excuses helps us to gain the victory when life is hard.\n\nProcessing failure as reality, rather than trying to make excuses helps us to gain the victory when life is hard.\n\nWith God, we can take a debilitating moment of pain and walk through it with our children. Pain avoidance is not the path to victory. Walking through hard moments is what gives us the strength for the next hurdle that we face.\n\nPain avoidance is not the path to victory.\n\nUnderstanding the Failure\nSometimes we would rather bury failure and never speak of it again. But this only keeps us bound in shame. When we seek to understand what led to our failure, we can overcome it the next time. God's Word illumines our understanding when the reality of failure hits hard. He promises to make sense of it all if we will be honest and seek Him for understanding. Sugar coating things does not make life easier.\n\nSugar coating things does not make life easier.\n\nPurpose in Failure\nConsequences in this fallen world make failure especially painful and sometimes long-lasting. Our children have free will just like we do. We cannot put them in a bubble, but we can equip them to keep pressing on in the faith when failure threatens to steal their joy. When faithfulness is our goal more than success, we can learn to embrace both failure and success as part of the sanctification process. This I know - our God is sovereign in all of it. What looked like a failure to God's people during the life of Jeremiah was a segue to hope. Failure is not the end - it is only a detour in the path of life.\n\n----------\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"https://devotableapp.com\" target=\"_blank\"><img  src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/devotable_logo_black2.png\"></a></p>\nDevotable is a brand seeking to spread the word of God to everyone around the world.\n\nIf you like what we're doing, please connect with us. Resteem, upvote, follow and comment. We love to hear feedback.\n\n<a href=\"https://facebook.com/devotable\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/facebook.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/devotableapp\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/twitter.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/devotableapp/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/insta.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://www.pinterest.com/devotable/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/pinterest.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://devotableapp.com/feed\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rss.png\"></a>",
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      "body": "***“…not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” — Hebrews 10:25 NIV***\n\nCHURCH\n\nIf you are not excited to go to your church on Sunday mornings, the church is not necessarily doing church wrong…maybe you are.\n\nChurch isn’t about you, or me, or any of us. Sure, we receive amazing benefits from going to church, such as being fed by the Word of God, fellowshipping with others who love the Lord, and learning more about our Savior, but again, it is really not about us.\n\nChurch is about God. It is about what we can give to a perfect God, not about what we can get from a congregation of imperfect people. It is about worshipping a God who is so-much-more-than-worthy of the “sacrifice” of getting out of our comfortable bed and possibly putting up with some aspects of the service we find annoying. And yes, I will say it: When we go to church, we will most likely encounter irritating people, so it might just be time to decide that pleasing God is more important than trying to avoid being offended by someone’s conduct, lifestyle, or personality.\n\nRemember, there are others who get out of bed and put up with us on those occasions when we might be the ones irritating them! We are all human, and I am surprised when I hear that certain people are the cause of someone choosing not to go to church anymore or not being excited about going each week.\n\nDo we really expect to find perfect people at church? Good luck with that!\n\nThis world is seemingly less and less concerned with God and more and more concerned with “self.” Society preaches being happy at all costs; putting our happiness above all else. When a weekly commitment, that we as Christians are encouraged in the Bible to keep, becomes a challenge to us because we do not feel like it, then it is time to look in a mirror and ask ourselves who it is really about…us or God?\n\nMy Sunday School teacher, whom I happen to be married to, has said, “If you feel that your church is missing something, maybe you are supposed to bring it.” Instead of lamenting the lack of energy, excitement, or enthusiasm, initiate it. Instead of leaving a church because it doesn’t fulfill your need, decide to stay and be part of the solution. Instead of wishing people would change, change your attitude toward them.\n\nIf your church is a Gospel-preaching, community-reaching, Bible-believing, Holy Spirit-receiving church, then the other things you see as negatives might just need your positive, prayerful approach!\n\nPRAYER\nLord, help me become excited about the wonderful opportunity of regularly attending church and being part of a church family. Help me to see and be thankful for the blessings I receive when I go to church, but to be more concerned about the blessing I can be to others in my church family as I put the focus on You and Your love. In Your name I pray, amen.\n\n----------\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"https://devotableapp.com\" target=\"_blank\"><img  src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/devotable_logo_black2.png\"></a></p>\nDevotable is a brand seeking to spread the word of God to everyone around the world.\n\nIf you like what we're doing, please connect with us. Resteem, upvote, follow and comment. We love to hear feedback.\n\n<a href=\"https://facebook.com/devotable\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/facebook.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/devotableapp\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/twitter.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/devotableapp/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/insta.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://www.pinterest.com/devotable/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/pinterest.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://devotableapp.com/feed\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rss.png\"></a>",
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      "body": "***The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. — John 10:10***\n\n![desktop-background-3061483_1920.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmSto5wbtQ1pjd7UjnLkpMziyeswtZ1BsVCX8EWXkEX4oj/desktop-background-3061483_1920.jpg)\n\n**LOVE**\n\nThe Bible says “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered,it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.\n\nThis is a wonderful definition. The problem with our definition of Love is that most of us had to learn it by experiencing pain. We must learn to differentiate those who love us from those who do not. Most of us do not know how to, which is why we have such pain in this life. So for those who may not know how to differentiate Love let me share a few lessons I’ve learned…\n\nWhen people lie to you or pretend they love you and they don’t. That is not Love.\n\nWhen they always want something but never want to give something that is not Love.\n\nWhen they talk about you behind your back and wish harm on your life that is not Love.\n\nWhen you give them love but you don’t ever get it reciprocated that is not Love.\n\nWhen they only call when they want something that is not Love.\n\nWhen they pretend to like you just because it’s in their best interest. That is not Love.\n\nLove is a gift from God. True Love grows over time. God is love. You can’t have love without him. His love completes you. It fills your heart with joy. It wraps you up at night. It warms your spirit and soul. It’s not temporary but everlasting. I am so glad he loves you and me.\n\nLesson learned.",
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      "body": "https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/800/0*7L-V1rNcdz4dFCIP.png\n\n***“From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.” — Matthew 16:21***\n\nHEARING GOD\n\nAs the above passage proves to us and contrary to what we have gleaned from His closest followers’ behaviors, Jesus couldn’t have been more upfront with His disciples about the inevitability of His death and the eventual raising from the dead three days later. He actually told them point blank on numerous occasions.\n\nFor these very reasons, I have always been amazed to read of their shock when Jesus died and their subsequent astonishment when He rose from the dead. What is interesting to consider, therefore, is that this act of death and resurrection actually isn’t amazing, in fact, it should have been expected.\n\nWhy do I suggest this?\n\nBecause, it’s quite possible that the disciples did hear the words of Jesus, but because they didn’t want them to be true, they either ignored them or convinced themselves that that’s not what He was saying.\n\nIsn’t this common?\n\nHave you ever read the Bible, heard the voice of the Lord and ignored it or persuaded yourself He meant something else because you just didn’t like what He had to say?\n\nMany times people have come to me, as a pastor, and revealed that they don’t hear God speak to them. One of the things I will ask is, “Are you sure He’s not speaking? Or is He speaking about something that makes you not want to listen?”\n\nGod always gives us a crystal clear message; often times it couldn’t be more obvious, but we end up having an aversion to the message he is offering, so we simply ignore it. We chalk it up as too fundamental or archaic or any other justification we can think of.\n\nThe disciples did it and Jesus’ followers have trailed those same footsteps ever since.\n\nInstead, may we rejoice when we hear His voice, trust Him enough to obey straightaway what he says and not justify disobedience any longer!\n\nEven if what He tells us is shocking or hard to swallow, like it was to the disciples, may we have the courage to listen and the faith to obediently walk in His commands.\n\n----------\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"https://devotableapp.com\" target=\"_blank\"><img  src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/devotable_logo_black2.png\"></a></p>\nDevotable is a brand seeking to spread the word of God to everyone around the world.\n\nIf you like what we're doing, please connect with us. Resteem, upvote, follow and comment. We love to hear feedback.\n\n<a href=\"https://facebook.com/devotable\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/facebook.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/devotableapp\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/twitter.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/devotableapp/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/insta.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://www.pinterest.com/devotable/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/pinterest.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://devotableapp.com/feed\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rss.png\"></a>",
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      "body": "https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/sharpens-skills.png\n\n***Praise the Lord, who is my rock. He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle. — Psalm 144:1, NLT***\n\nAre you ready for battle? When a new year rolls in, many make resolutions for healthy eating and regular exercise. It is a common joke that gyms will return to regular attendance by February as most people will have given up on their resolution. Why is that? Because it’s quite hard!\n\nYet, anyone who has stuck with it will tell you this, it gets easier! Some days are still difficult, but in general, the muscles are trained and ready. It’s just like prayer, isn’t it? When trying to make it a lifestyle, it’s hard at first – a real battle actually – but after a while it becomes more natural. Is prayer a muscle? I think so!\n\nIn our text, David praises God for keeping him steady. He says that God trains his hands for war and gives his finger skill for battle. He recognizes that when he goes to war, he doesn’t go alone. It is God who gives him a good strategy, makes him strong, and sharpens his skills for battle.\n\nPrayer is also a little like war and the Lord leads us through it. It is He who gives us the words and leads us to ask for the right things. He makes us bold and strong, and sharpens our prayer skills. And just like a workout routine, prayer becomes increasingly more natural, and easier to engage.\n\nGOD TRAINS US FOR BATTLE\nScripture is clear that we are not alone when praying and there is always power when we dare open our mouths and trusting God with it:\n\n“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” Romans 8:26, NLT, Emphasis added.\n\n“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” James 5:16, NLT, Emphasis added.\n\nFinally, when you pray God’s Word, you are praying life into being. The spiritual world does not remain unmoved. Why is that? Because the Holy Spirit takes our prayers to God, Jesus is interceding for us, and God says His Word won’t return to Him void. After all, we are not just throwing words in the wind. The Creator of the universe is listening.\n\nWill you trust God that even when you don’t see immediate results? He is at work and mighty to save, to deliver and to transform situations? Will you have enough faith to believe that it’s not your performance, but God’s faithfulness that will bring results? Pray today! Get ready for battle!\n\nHeavenly Father, it’s so easy to get discouraged as I pray. More often than not, I don’t see immediate results. Either You are doing something better, or I fail to recognize Your wonderful work. Either way, increase my faith. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear so that I may see You at work. Help me pray more and more diligently. Amen!\n\n----------\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"https://devotableapp.com\" target=\"_blank\"><img  src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/devotable_logo_black2.png\"></a></p>\nDevotable is a brand seeking to spread the word of God to everyone around the world.\n\nIf you like what we're doing, please connect with us. Resteem, upvote, follow and comment. We love to hear feedback.\n\n<a href=\"https://facebook.com/devotable\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/facebook.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/devotableapp\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/twitter.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/devotableapp/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/insta.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://www.pinterest.com/devotable/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/pinterest.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://devotableapp.com/feed\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rss.png\"></a>",
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      "body": "***And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:7***\n\nAre you waiting for the storm to pass and the pain to cease to say, “It is well with my soul?” If so my friend you are missing out on an incredible experience. We know life on this side of heaven can be painful and challenging. But God wants us to find peace in the midst of our pain.\n\nA FAMILIAR HYMN\nThere is a hymn that might be familiar to you, “It is well with my soul.” It was written by hymnist Horatio Spafford and composed by Philip Bliss. When Horatio wrote this beautiful hymn, he was not in a place where his life was pain-free. He had just lost all of his remaining children in a shipwreck. Horatio was traveling to meet his wife who had survived.\n\nHe did not wait for things to get better to say, “It is well with my soul.” Instead, he was reaching out to God knowing he would find peace even in the midst of this tragedy.\n\nHOW TO EMBRACE PEACE\nI didn’t learn how to fully embrace peace until God allowed suffering in my life, the kind of pain I could not hold on my own. Have you ever had that sort of pain? The kind you can’t hide nor sweep under the rug. It eats at your soul, ravishes your mind, and gives you no rest. You know, the kind you can’t control.\n\nIt was then that I understood God was who would carry me through. However, it would not miraculously happen overnight. I would need to do my part too.\n\nTo Uncover God’s Peace that transcends all understanding one must choose wisely.\n\nONE MUST CHOOSE –\nTO TRUST GOD IN THE PAIN\nIt will mean trusting God even though it hurts and might not make sense. It might help saying, “Okay God I don’t understand, I don’t like it, but I will trust you.\n\nACCEPT OUR CIRCUMSTANCE\nWe will have to face reality and accept our circumstances. You might want to say, “It is what it is.” to help you along with this step.\n\nLET GO OF CONTROL\nThen we will have to release our control and recognize we never really did have any power.\n\nLIVE IN THE PRESENT MOMENT\nWe will need to live in the present moment. Sometimes this means taking things one moment at a time.\n\nI can sing, “It is Well With My Soul,” and mean it from the depths of my heart when I choose to trust God in my suffering.\n\nSometimes it takes a little practice to get to a place where we can say, “It is well with my soul.” But when we do, we will find an incredible love from our Father above. And then out of nowhere you will be standing in the midst of painful circumstances and realize deep down in your soul you do have a feeling of peace which transcends all understanding.\n\nOf course, this doesn’t mean the pain goes away, or the struggle isn’t real. It just says in the midst of it all we can feel God’s love and peace. No, I don’t understand why we have to endure so much suffering here on earth. But I do know when we choose to trust God with the outcomes and believe in his promises; we will find peace in the midst of our pain.\n\nHOW HAVE YOU FOUND PEACE IN THE MIDST OF YOUR PAIN?\n\n----------\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"https://devotableapp.com\" target=\"_blank\"><img  src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/devotable_logo_black2.png\"></a></p>\nDevotable is a brand seeking to spread the word of God to everyone around the world.\n\nIf you like what we're doing, please connect with us. Resteem, upvote, follow and comment. We love to hear feedback.\n\n<a href=\"https://facebook.com/devotable\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/facebook.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/devotableapp\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/twitter.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/devotableapp/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/insta.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://www.pinterest.com/devotable/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/pinterest.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://devotableapp.com/feed\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rss.png\"></a>",
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      "body": "![friends.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmZLNMzUbM6gjrS1Ut7KruN4pSmTHDRgmjSjRyHUeRVHZs/friends.png)\n\n***My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant. — Psalm 55:20***\n\nGod has blessed me with some incredible friendships. I mean…I wish I had the time and space, but instead I try to tell them and honor God for what He’s used others to do that impact me.  Massive gratitude.\n\nWhat I didn’t know is that for many, this isn’t the case.  Having honorable, close, genuine friendships is something I thought we all had, until people began to comment on what they witnessed between my friends and I.\n\nSadly, hearing stories of the violations between those they considered, and have selected as friends, amazes me. But this isn’t new. From the times of the Bible until now, friends carried Christ during his most vulnerable moments and he was left alone or betrayed by others who were supposed to be closest to him.\n\nBe a friend. In today’s world, between the phones, schedules, distractions and egos, our friends will become apparent when all that comes to a halt and crisis pops off.\n\nYour friends shouldn’t be someone you actively want to avoid. That’s an associate or a false social contract. When a violation occurs, friends are able to address it and grow through it. If not, the friendship has ended at the feet of a violation of trust.\n\nPray for your friends. Support them, and receive that from them. Our ultimate friend has provided a model for all of us to follow.\n\nExamine your personal relationships and audit where a change may be needed. Surround yourself with those who enable you to grow and aren’t chopping you down. And vice versa.\n\nSome people seek the company of others for self-serving motivations and will run game.  I pray that your wisdom to discern is high.  Fake is becoming too real often times with actual friends.  It’s not worth it. Real friends are expensive. Make sure you’re willing to deal with the cost.\n\nBe Blessed.\n\n----------\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"https://devotableapp.com\" target=\"_blank\"><img  src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/devotable_logo_black2.png\"></a></p>\nDevotable is a brand seeking to spread the word of God to everyone around the world.\n\nIf you like what we're doing, please connect with us. Resteem, upvote, follow and comment. We love to hear feedback.\n\n<a href=\"https://facebook.com/devotable\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/facebook.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/devotableapp\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/twitter.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/devotableapp/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/insta.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://www.pinterest.com/devotable/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/pinterest.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://devotableapp.com/feed\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rss.png\"></a>",
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      "body": "![doubters.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmVg1jY8iYwqni4YLWYbb9LTTkmfVBiHToP7oDLikB937x/doubters.png)\n\n***“(Jesus) went in and said to them, ‘Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.’ But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha koum!’ (which means ‘Little girl, I say to you, get up!’). Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around…” — Mark 5:39–42 NIV***\n\nGreat things are accomplished by faith. Sometimes, however, we must dismiss the doubters.\n\nJesus was approached with the news, first that the synagogue ruler Jairus’ young daughter was sick. Then that she had died. It had all come about so quickly, and Jesus, it would seem, was simply too slow to respond.\n\n“…‘Why bother the teacher anymore?’ ” (Mark 5:35, NIV) the family and friends of Jairus asked.\n\nBut, Jesus told Jairus, “ ‘…Just believe’ ” (Mark 5:36, NIV).\n\nWhen Jesus arrived at Jairus’ house, a crowd had already gathered there. These mourners were inconsolable and grief-stricken. Then, when Jesus told them that the little girl was only sleeping, their cries of grief turned into rumbles of laughter. “What a foolish thing for Jesus to say!” they thought.\n\nAs Jesus entered the room of Jairus’ daughter, only the girl’s parents and Jesus’ disciples were invited. The others – the doubters and disbelievers, those who had mocked Jesus and laughed at his words – had already been put out of the house. Their doubt would not be allowed to interfere with the miracle that was about to take place. Soon, the little girl would be healed.\n\nThere are several lessons to be learned from this story, but here’s one angle. At times, we too, must dismiss the doubters. Otherwise, their second-guessing, their cynicism, and their skepticism will not allow us the room to do what is needed. Our ambition and our dreams will be undermined by the nay-sayers if we allow them to stick around.\n\nSo, just who are the doubters in your life? Who are the whiners, the wailers, and the laughers that you need to put aside? I’m not saying that you need to make a complete break from them, although sometimes that can be the case. But maybe they do need to be put out of ear-shot. Don’t let the doubters deter your dreams. And don’t let the foolish sway your faith. Just believe!\n\n----------\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"https://devotableapp.com\" target=\"_blank\"><img  src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/devotable_logo_black2.png\"></a></p>\nDevotable is a brand seeking to spread the word of God to everyone around the world.\n\nIf you like what we're doing, please connect with us. Resteem, upvote, follow and comment. We love to hear feedback.\n\n<a href=\"https://facebook.com/devotable\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/facebook.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/devotableapp\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/twitter.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/devotableapp/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/insta.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://www.pinterest.com/devotable/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/pinterest.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://devotableapp.com/feed\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rss.png\"></a>",
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      "body": "![new-heart.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmYorLz9J23YkPZxhFe1ciToXsZ9gybrdj3zRYn8KHXZet/new-heart.png)\n\n***And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. — Ezekiel 36:26***\n\nA NEW HEART\n\nGod doesn’t give you a new heart in order for you to have the same old desires or flawed ways. He gives you a new heart with new and right desires.\n\nThink of the Grinch. His heart was two sizes too small. But once He saw the true meaning of Christmas—the love and care—his heart grew three sizes. His heart didn’t grow three sizes in order for him to still want to steal Christmas and hate the Whoos. Love caused it to grow and him to change.\n\nMuch like the Grinch, when God replaces our fleshly stony hearts of sin, He removes and replaces it with a new obedient heart to Him. Do we still make mistakes? Certainly. But we are no longer supposed to be OK with those mistakes.\n\nAnd what makes this change so possible? God’s Love!\n\n----------\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"https://devotableapp.com\" target=\"_blank\"><img  src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/devotable_logo_black2.png\"></a></p>\nDevotable is a brand seeking to spread the word of God to everyone around the world.\n\nIf you like what we're doing, please connect with us. Resteem, upvote, follow and comment. We love to hear feedback.\n\n<a href=\"https://facebook.com/devotable\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/facebook.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/devotableapp\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/twitter.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/devotableapp/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/insta.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://www.pinterest.com/devotable/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/pinterest.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://devotableapp.com/feed\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rss.png\"></a>",
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      "body": "![walk-in-obedience.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmQdYSGgG2RZ77dV3nuAqimUPZhs1E6XvS7BHVMX27BD71/walk-in-obedience.png)\n\nGROWTH\n\n***I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth — 1 Corinthians 3:6***\n\nTaking a walk with my two year old son can be rather frustrating. It feels like he has his own agenda to go no where fast! Similarly, when heading out the door he seems to have many pit stops that slow us down.\n\nLife and ministry can feel the same way. Pit stop after pit stop, and road block after road block, we become frustrated at the pace of our spiritual growth, lives, and God-given ministry.\n\nYet, we must remember who is in control. God’s race and HIS growth can look very different from a secular view of growth and success. He has his own path and it might involve some slowing down. We must not get frustrated and realize where the power comes from. In reference to the church that Paul founded at Corinth he says, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” Growth comes from him and it’s through him! Nothing comes from us. Find peace in the fact that we don’t need to muster up the power for anything, he just calls us to be obedient.\n\nAs Hudson Taylor says,\n“Gods work done in Gods way will never lack Gods supplies.”\n\nAs you go about your ministry, plans, jobs, and spiritual walks-remember it’s not up to you. You just need to walk in obedience. The power comes from HIM. Enjoy those moments of rest and pit stops along the way.\n\n----------\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"https://devotableapp.com\" target=\"_blank\"><img  src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/devotable_logo_black2.png\"></a></p>\nDevotable is a brand seeking to spread the word of God to everyone around the world.\n\nIf you like what we're doing, please connect with us. Resteem, upvote, follow and comment. We love to hear feedback.\n\n<a href=\"https://facebook.com/devotable\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/facebook.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/devotableapp\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/twitter.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/devotableapp/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/insta.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://www.pinterest.com/devotable/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/pinterest.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://devotableapp.com/feed\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rss.png\"></a>",
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      "author": "steemitboard",
      "body": "Congratulations @devotable! You have completed some achievement on Steemit and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :\n\n[![](https://steemitimages.com/70x80/http://steemitboard.com/notifications/posts.png)](http://steemitboard.com/@devotable) Award for the number of posts published\n\nClick on any badge to view your own Board of Honor on SteemitBoard.\n\nTo support your work, I also upvoted your post!\nFor more information about SteemitBoard, click [here](https://steemit.com/@steemitboard)\n\nIf you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word `STOP`\n\n> Upvote this notification to help all Steemit users. Learn why [here](https://steemit.com/steemitboard/@steemitboard/http-i-cubeupload-com-7ciqeo-png)!",
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      "body": "![preeminent-one.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmYxmxBsM4HT1N64R8z49mfng3zZivYpvoJ8PW2wAReaqp/preeminent-one.png)\n\n***“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:” — Colossians 1:15***\n\n**NUMBER ONE**\n\nThe truth of Jesus being the preeminent One is a truth we would be blessed to consider (Colossians 1:18).\n\nHe is the Creator of the worlds and every living creature. He formed all animate and inanimate matter with underived and un-borrowed power.\n\nIn unison with the Father and with equal, eternal power, He framed everything that has ever existed. Jesus is the blessed and Holy God of love.\n\nThe fact that Jesus is above all is what makes His incarnation so wonderful. He could have chosen to leave us here to reap what we have sown. He could have just watched while the sin we chose instead of Him, ate away at every moment of our lives, but He did not.\n\nThe fact that He was obedient to the point of allowing His adopted humanity to die on the cross lets me know that His love is beyond comprehension.\n\nThis is why Paul said, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” I Timothy 3:16.\n\nThis love caused Him to be a servant to those over whom He was preeminent. This love made His resurrection supreme.\n\nOf all that have ever died and will be resurrected, He is the greatest. In fact, it is because of His resurrection early one Sunday morning that makes it possible for others to be raised unto eternal life.\n\nThe Bible is clear that Jesus is the preeminent and most important One. Will you allow Him to be the priority of your life?\n\n----------\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"https://devotableapp.com\" target=\"_blank\"><img  src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/devotable_logo_black2.png\"></a></p>\nDevotable is a brand seeking to spread the word of God to everyone around the world.\n\nIf you like what we're doing, please connect with us. Resteem, upvote, follow and comment. We love to hear feedback.\n\n<a href=\"https://facebook.com/devotable\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/facebook.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/devotableapp\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/twitter.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/devotableapp/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/insta.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://www.pinterest.com/devotable/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/pinterest.png\"></a> <a href=\"https://devotableapp.com/feed\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rss.png\"></a>",
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      "body": "![actively waiting.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmdqhXi1HMx1kaFvhNqd5J313BvDTA5SN3syFV6Kp1CtNP/actively%20waiting.png)\n\n**WAITING ON GOD**\n\nHave you ever wanted a change? Perhaps you are single and desire relationship. Or you desperately want a different job. Maybe your heart is leading you towards a mission, ministry, or adoption.\n\nMaybe the change is more subtle. Maybe it’s something you’ve always wanted to say to someone, or something you’ve always wanted to do.\n\nPerhaps the desire for this change is now at its peak, demanding your action. This is it. You finally have the courage to face the challenge head on in anticipation of the reward on the other side.\n\nIt’s now or never, you fear. You go to the Lord in prayer, resolved to do whatever it takes to follow through with this, what now feels to be a calling from God.\n\nAnd He answers you with two words, “do nothing.” What? Isn’t this desire from You, Lord?! What could benefit anyone from being told to NOT act on what they feel is right?\n\nF.B. Meyer once wrote,\n\nNever act in a panic; nor allow man to dictate to thee, calm thyself and be still; force thyself into the quiet of thy closet until the pulse beats normally and the scare has ceased to perturb. When thou art most eager to act is the time when thou wilt make the most pitiable mistakes. Do not say in thine heart what thou wilt or wilt not do; but wait upon God until He makes known his way. So long as that way is hidden, it is clear that there is no need of action, and that He accounts Himself responsible for all the results keeping thee where thou art.\n\nMany years ago, a friend gave me this quote during a time when I was at a crossroad in my service to the Lord.\n\nThis friend knew nothing of my conflicting spirit, but clearly was used by God to speak to me. It was clear He was telling me to “do nothing” towards a change at this time.\n\nI was struck by the beauty of the realization that the Lord Jesus is willing to accept responsibility for my lack of apparent action as I actively wait on Him. This time in waiting not only allowed His will to take over, it also allowed my desires to stew in His, becoming like His desires. Even greater, it was time spent cultivating relationship with Him and the wisdom that comes from it.\n\nWaiting is hard. At times, painfully hard. So hard, that sometimes we fail to do nothing and we act out of fear, like Abraham’s wife did in Genesis 12, in the midst of waiting on the Lord’s promise of a child.\n\nSure, action by our own efforts gets the job done physically. However, it’s in those times of “doing nothing” that we are doing some of our most important work, eternally, as children of God.\n\nIn Proverbs 2: 2-11, we read:\n\n2 “Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; 3 For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; 4 If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will discern the fear of the Lord And discover the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, 8 Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones. 9 Then you will discern righteousness and justice And equity and every good course. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; 11 Discretion will guard you, Understanding will watch over you.”\n\nWhile we “do nothing” on purpose, we are encouraged many times in scripture to use our time intentionally. It’s a time of active waiting. It’s in this time of pause that we learn to trust more in His Wisdom (2 Samuel 7:28, Psalm 20:7, Joshua 1:9).\n\nWe learn to find our joy in Him and only Him (Proverbs 10:28, Romans 15:13, James 1:2-9).\n\nAnd, ultimately, we are allowing Him to receive all the glory (Duet. 5:24, 1 Peter 5:6-11, John 11:40-42).\n\nThis is why, as F. B. Meyer said, Jesus is willing to take the blame for our lack of action. The Lord knows the outcome is worth it, because the greatest outcome, over any earthly one, is a deeper, more trusting, more unified relationship between Him and His child.\n\n----------\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"https://devotableapp.com\" target=\"_blank\"><img  src=\"https://devotableapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/devotable_logo_black2.png\"></a></p>\nDevotable is a brand seeking to spread the word of God to everyone around the world.\n\nIf you like what we're doing, please connect with us. Resteem, upvote, follow and comment. 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      "body": "![be-still.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmaE3L49T5GFUkVepQ14mGimzqoEAR6g8WFomKxAbvkcHX/be-still.png)\n\n***“Be still and know that I am God\" Psalm 46:10***\n\nBE STILL AND KNOW\n\nI love when I am able to check things off on my to-do list, don’t you? Yes, I’m one of those people who love accomplishing things. I’m an action-oriented doer. I’m a “Martha!” You know, the story in Luke 10! There were two sisters (Mary and Martha) who invited Jesus into their home. Mary was still, sitting at the feet of Jesus soaking in every word. Martha, on the other hand, was busy getting things done. (You go, girl!) It’s excruciatingly difficult for me to just be still.\n\nWhen I’m in my zone of accomplishing all I have set out to do, the last thing I want is to have to put the brakes on. That is why it is so frustrating when my momentum comes to a screeching halt. I admit, I can get so lost in my activity that I lose sight of what’s really important.\n\nI have a son who has autism and is considered mentally handicapped. He is inarticulate and unintelligible for the most part. Even without a word, however, he declares Who God is in such a profound way. But if I am up to my eyeballs with activity, I would miss it. That is why I so desperately need the reminder in Psalm 46:10 to be still and to know that He is God. Psalm 23:2 tells me that the Good Shepherd (Jesus) “makes me lie down in green pastures.” He has to make me lie down and be still, or I would just be bursting with frenetic energy throughout my day. My son’s various disabilities make me slow down and to see God all around me.\n\nWhen I am still, this is what I have discovered about God through my disabled son:\n\nGOD CAN BE SEEN IN HIS CREATION\nMy son loves the weather. It’s something he talks about all day, every day. He repeatedly asks me to check the weather app on my phone to tell him what he can expect for the day. Sometimes he wants me to check the weather from one hour to the next.\n\nBut, if I am still, God shows me Who He is even in the weather. The boisterous thunder clap speaks of His majesty and His greatness. The gentle rainfall speaks of His constant provision. The sunrise speaks of His faithfulness. When I lay my head down on my pillow at night, I never even question if the sun will rise again the next day. Just like the sun, He is faithful to show up in our lives again and again.\n\nGOD IS ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY\nMy son has been known to follow us around the house. Annoying? Yes, sometimes, especially when I am quickly going from room to room cleaning. Because of his disabilities, he has a difficult time figuring out what to do by himself, and he likes to be with us.\n\nGod is much the same way. He is constantly wanting to fellowship with us. He is with us as we take our kids to school. He is with us when we are at the grocery store. He is with us as we are doing laundry, and He’s with us when we are in a business meeting. He is constantly with us. He promised He would never leave or forsake us. He wants us to slow down long enough and to be still in order to know the nearness of His presence.\n\nGOD IS PASSIONATE\nAt church on Sundays, if the worship leader plays a familiar song, my son has been known jump up and down, squeal with excitement and clap his hands. He grins his big, toothy smile and tells us he’s heard that song before.\n\nGod is even more passionate about us. He loves it when His children are loving their lives. He loves us when we find our enjoyment in Him. God is not just a passive observer in our lives. He is passionately involved even in the most minute details. John Piper said, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”\n\nIf we take the time to be still, God will show Himself to us in a variety of ways. 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