"Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!"
Psalm 27:14 (NKJV)

“Wait…”  Just hearing the word can make us sigh.  Let’s face it, we don’t like being told to wait.  We are like a child being told to wait by his mother or father.  Before long the child is throwing a temper tantrum because they just can’t stand waiting. 
Like kids, we often lack patience.  But it’s important for us to remember that patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit as we see in Galatians 5:22-26.  The fact that we lack patience is probably a good indicator that our dependence upon the Lord is not as strong as it should be.  But think about that for moment.  There is no one more worthy of our trust than the Lord.  He does not lie and His plans for us are good.  This should cause us to do as this verse says and take courage while we wait upon Him. 
Courage isn’t the absence of fear, but it is making the conscious choice to do what is right even while being fearful.  And indeed, we have great reason to be a courageous people - because we trust in the name of Jesus.  The name above every other name.  Take heart today as you step out to wait on the Lord and take courage because you are not stepping onto sinking sand, but the Rock that is firm, whose foundation is sure. 
Be patient.  A person cannot force a rose to bloom by peeling back the bud from the petals and we cannot force the hand of God by trying to make things happen before their time.  Be patient while your answer from God is blooming, whatever it may be and however long it may take.  There is something supernatural that takes place as we allow patience to have its perfect work in us.  The Holy Spirit blesses us by growing our faith and strengthening our heart.  Maybe that’s what you need today dear reader – your heart strengthened.  If so, won’t you call upon the name of Jesus for help?  Won’t you trust Him and take Him at His Word?  Wont you trust that He is at work in you and is using the times of waiting in your life for His purposes?
Be of good courage in your waiting, dear reader, and see what beautiful answer may bloom as you do.

Anchored in Christ,
Aaron R. Force
 

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength."
Mark 12:30 (HCSB)

Jesus presents us with a hearty meal to feast on in this passage.  These are words that that are meant to define a believer at their core.  They are the essential makeup of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

The heart holds that which is treasured most in a person’s life, for Jesus also said, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
The soul speaks of the breath of life; one’s purpose for living.
The mind is that which ponders one’s desires.
Strength fights for the heart’s treasure.

It has been said that God demand our full attention.  And indeed, He does.  In other words, our entire lives, every minute of every day, is to be at His service.  All things we do should be for Him.  Why?  Because it is the very breath of God in our lungs and He deserves no less.  He has given life to our bodies.  And not only that, but we have also been bought at a price by the blood of Jesus Christ.  We were once slaves of sin – reaping death, hell, and fear, but now we are slaves of God who are heaven bound – reaping life abundantly, free from the penalty and participation of sin, and now have the opportunity to fulfill God’s purposes in and through our lives.

May these words bring you back to a proper perspective, a reminder of your purpose, and passion to please the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

It's Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It's Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only
-“Great are You Lord” by All Sons and Daughters

Anchored in Christ,
Aaron R. Force

“On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’”
Mark 4:35 (NKJV)

As the disciples climb into the boat at the command of their Master and begin to make their way across the Sea of Galilee a great storm came upon them.  Waves began to crash over into the boat and His disciples became fearful.  What did they do?  They awoke Jesus, who was in the boat with them and He brought calm to the storm and they reached the other side.   
Dear reader, you may be facing a terrible storm in life right at this very hour.  If so, be comforted by this text.  Just as Jesus was in the boat with His disciples in the storm so He is present with you.  He promised His followers to never leave them or forsake them and indeed, if you call upon His name you are His follower as well.  He is with you.

Don’t forget the promises of the Master.  If Jesus said it, then the thing He spoke is as good as done.  Jesus had told these disciples that they would “cross over” to the other side, that means there is no way they could have gone under.  There are many promises in the scripture that we would do well to cling to.  Search for them in His Word and may He give you wisdom and understanding in your situation.  Jesus doesn’t always save us from harm, death, or difficulty, but He does promise to work in our lives through those difficulties and to give us peace as we bring our cares to Him in prayer.  Perhaps the greatest comfort we have is the hope of eternal life with Him.  Let’s not forget these wonderful promises.

If you find yourself fearful because the waves are crashing into your boat, then call on the name of Jesus and receive His peace in your heart.

Anchored in Christ,
Aaron R. Force

"For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6

It was by a counselor that this world was ruined when Satan counseled Eve to eat from the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.  The serpent’s counsel led to eating the forbidden fruit which led to death.  But here in Isaiah is a prophecy about another Counselor, a greater Counselor, that will restore all things and make all things new.  He is the Messiah, the Savior of the world.  He counsel’s all who will hear Him to buy from Him gold refined in the fire.  Unlike the counselor in the garden who tempted Eve, Jesus counsels to partake of the Bread that leads to life everlasting.  He is the tree of life; the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world.

Have you tasted and seen that the Lord is good?  Do you have the blood of the Lamb spread upon the door posts of your heart that you might be saved from the wrath to come?  Have you known the peace of God by having all of your sins washed away?  Have you heeded the great Counselor, Jesus Christ, by taking His yoke of authority upon your shoulders?

By one counselor the world may have come to ruin, but by another Counselor all things are being reconciled and restored.

The question is, which counsel are you heeding?

May you come the Lord, Jesus Christ, for your counsel.  There is no counsel like His.  His counsel is enriching, enlightening, refreshing, and so needed for every situation we face.  Those who listen and follow His counsel are greatly rewarded with peace, reassurance, clarity, and hope.

My prayer is that you have ears to hear and a heart to believe and trust the One who is called, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace.

Anchored in Christ,
Aaron R. Force

“For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven…”
Colossians 1:4-5 (NLT)

The Gospel has produced something that is not uncommon among believers – faith, love, and hope.  In fact, dare I say that anyone would truly be a believer if they did not have these three characteristics in their lives?  A true and genuine response to receiving the Good News of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, surrendering their life to God, and receiving the promise of eternal life will produce faith, love, and hope.

What is the difference between these three small words you might ask?  Well to put it into simple terms: 1) faith looks backward, 2) love looks to the present, and 3) hope looks to the future.

1) Faith looks to backward to the cross of Jesus Christ.  The place where He died in the sinner’s place for the remission of sins for all who put their trust in Him.  Have you trusted in Him for the forgiveness of your sins?  Believe in Jesus and you will be set free from sin’s bondage, shame, and ugliness.  Faith, if you will, are the hands that take hold of the gift of forgiveness and so much more that God through Jesus has provided for us.

2) Love looks presently to those around us in how we can show them kindness.  Sure, many of us would be so noble to physically die in another person’s place if need be, but how many of us would be inconvenienced by helping transport a person in need, sacrifice our time to teach a Sunday school class, or provide a meal for a family who has lost a loved one?  Jesus said that the world would know His disciples by the way they loved one another.  Dear reader, do you let the love God flow through you by looking for ways (that are often inconvenient) to show kindness to your fellow man?  You can’t give what you don’t have.  Make sure you have the love of God in you and then you will be able to show the love of God through you.

3) Hope looks to the future glory of being with God for all eternity.  How can a Christian valiantly suffer hardships with joy?  How can the believer laugh in the face of death?  How can a follower of Jesus overcome discouragement or depression?  Because they know what lies ahead of them is far better than what lies behind them or right before them.  Romans 8 says that nothing can separate us from the love of God, not even death.  Revelation says that there will come a day when God’s people will dwell with Him forever in a place of righteousness, free from evil, with no more pain or suffering.  Do you have this hope?  It can only be found in Jesus.  There is none like it.

Dear believer, may you keep these truths close to your heart – faith, love, and hope.  May they define your life and may your life be a living sacrifice and praise to the God of heaven.

Anchored in Christ,
Aaron R. Force

“If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.  If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”
1 Corinthians 3:14-15 (NKJV)

Paul knew that the church could not be built on any other foundation other than Jesus Christ alone.  But he also had a sober understanding that every person who came along and continued to disciple these believers in Corinth would have to answer to the Lord in how they continued to build the spiritual house of these people’s lives.

There are two important truths that we would do well to take to heart from our passage today.  The first is that there is a reward for the actions of God’s people who faithfully build up other believers in a manner that pleases God.  God is most generous to those who have blessed His children with healthy spiritual nourishment for their souls.  These good deeds must be those that God has prepared beforehand for His followers to walk in (Eph.2:10).  Too often we convince ourselves that that we are “building up” another person in the ways of God when, in reality, we are simply doing a meaningless work in the eyes of God.

What and how we build on the foundation are extremely important.

The second truth is that the believer’s work that does not please God will be burned up.  All that time and energy that is put into those things will profit nothing in the end.  Yes, there is still a great hope for this believer in verse 15 - that he will still be saved, but there will be no eternal value for those works.  I hope that you and I will consider these truths and place our hands to God’s work and not a misconception of it.  May we obtain every reward that God has in store for us.  I believe we will IF we will simply humble ourselves, seek His will through His Word, and be faithful to follow His instructions.

May your work in others lives not be wasted in the eyes of God and may you receive a rich reward for how you pour into the lives of His people.

Your brother in Christ,
Aaron R. Force

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Luke 12:34 (NKJV)

This verse reminds me of a character in Charles Dickens’ book, A Christmas Carol, known as Mr. Scrooge.  In the story, Mr. Scrooge is completely consumed by his love for money.  Every shilling he makes just increases his desire for more.  But even though he has much material wealth, he lacks generosity and there is a leanness to his soul.

Whatever it is we treasure; it will lead us to wanting more of it.  However, the fulfillment experienced will only be as good as the thing you treasure.  This should give us great caution in deciding what to treasure.

There are only two types of treasure: 1) earthly treasure and 2) heavenly treasure.  The first will, as Mr. Scrooge discovered in Dickens’ story, lead to an emptiness that does not satisfy and, in the end, will be stripped from you.  For all the earthly treasure you have gained will be left for someone else when you perish.  The second is everlasting and ever satisfying.  I pray that you will treasure the gold of Jesus and nothing more.  May you be able to say as the apostle Paul:

The depth of Jesus’ words could be mined forever, and we would never exhaust the riches therein.  Come, hear Him and you will never want to leave Him.  Your ears will never grow weary of hearing His sweet words.  You will want more and more of Him as you come and drink from the fountain that never runs dry.  Come and truly be satisfied.

Anchored in Christ,
Aaron R. Force

"So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith."
1 Thessalonians 3:7 (NLT)

One of the most amazing things about this passage is that the apostle Paul and his companions are greatly encouraged by these young believers in Jesus because they have kept the faith.  They have responded to persecution by remaining strong in the faith and one of the results is that they have encouraged one of the most well-known men in the Bible.

Christian, you can greatly encourage someone OR discourage them by the way you respond life’s difficulties.  As believers, we have a great responsibility in our walk with Jesus because whether we like it or not, people are watching us.  The question is what are they seeing as we face trials in daily living?  Do they see someone responding to hardships as Jesus would – confident in the hope of God, full of peace, grace, and a deep trust in God?  Or do they see someone who is angry, grumbling, complaining, cursing, worrying, and anxious?

Facing trials doesn’t mean that we need to be fake.  It’s ok to admit that trials are hard, not fun, and difficult.  But it’s the words we say next that are the most important.  Hopefully they will be words that will encourage the hearer to trust God and carry on.

I pray that your life will be an aroma of encouragement to others in the way you respond to life’s challenges.

Stand firm in the faith.  It might just be the encouragement the believer next to you needs to stand firm as well.

Anchored in Christ,
Aaron R. Force

“'Everything is meaningless,' says the Teacher, 'completely meaningless!'”
Ecclesiastes 1:2 (NLT )

These are the words of a man who is trying to find his hope and satisfaction in the things of the earth.  He looks for fulfillment in sexual pleasure, money, possessions, and fame, but in the end, he finds himself with the opposite of what he was searching for.  Instead of being full, he is empty.

Solomon had everything the world had to offer, so what was the issue?  Why couldn’t he find what he was truly seeking for?  Because he was looking in the wrong place.  He was hoping to be satisfied with everything “under the sun” rather than finding his satisfaction in God.  In God we find the meaning and purpose of life.  In God we find peace, hope, joy, rest, and satisfaction unlike anything the world has to offer.

How about you, dear reader?  Do you feel like everything is meaningless?  Do you feel like everything is hopeless?  If so, let me point you to the source of all of hope – Jesus Christ.  He is the only One who truly fills our deepest longing.  Perhaps one of the best things about finding your fulfillment in Jesus is that, as you do, EVERYTHING in life and eternity becomes meaningful.  He takes what we thought was meaningless and makes it meaningful.

I pray you turn your eyes on Jesus today and find your complete satisfaction in Him.  As you do, may everything become meaningful as you live a life sold out to Him.  May you see the work of God in every waking moment.

I see Your face in ev'ry sunrise
The colors of the morning are inside Your eyes
The world awakens in the light of the day
I look up to the sky and say
You're beautiful
-“Beautiful” by Phil Wickham

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NKJV)

Anchored in Christ,
Aaron R. Force

"I preached…that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by the good things they do."
Acts 26:20 (NLT)

In one sentence, Paul outlines the gospel.  The bottom line is that a saved life is a changed life.

Notice the natural progression of Paul’s statement regarding the Good News: repent, turn, and prove.  The first step to a changed life is repentance.  Repentance means to change one’s mind regarding sin.  It means that we see it as God sees it – wickedness and disobedience leading to death.  Repentance is the point where we realize and acknowledge our desperate need for God.

This brings us to the second part of the of the Gospel – “turn to God”.  True repentance leads us to the cross of Christ where our sin is forgiven and where we are restored in our relationship with God.  A changed life turns to God.  Not only for the purpose of forgiveness and restoration, but to find one’s purpose for life!  2 Peter 1:3 says that we, by God’s divine power, have been given all things pertaining to life and godliness.  Turning to God changes our focus.  It changes where and how we get our instructions for daily living.  Like life support, our complete dependence becomes upon God alone.

And lastly, a changed life will be proven by the way we live.  Ephesians 2:10 says that God has given believers good deeds to walk in.  It will be evident that a person has been changed by what they do.  Jesus said that you will know a person by the fruit they bear (Matthew 7:16).

What does a changed life look like?  He/she will look more and more like Jesus every day because that is the mold the Holy Spirit is forming them into (Romans 8:29).  The question is, have you been changed?  Perhaps it is time for us to look at our lives and ask ourselves, “Is my life a changed life?  Does it look like Jesus?” 
Dear reader, if you find yourself in desperate need of a changed life today, look no further than this passage of scripture and follow the instructions – “repent of your sin…turn to God…and prove” you’ve changed by doing the good things God has created for you to do.

Anchored in Christ,
Aaron R. Force

“When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
 Psalm 61:2b (NKJV)

Oh, heart of sorrow and life that has been plunged into the depths of worldly despair, let me bring some sunshine into your life today.  There is a place of refuge, a fortress from the storm, and safe harbor ready for you.  This place of sure footing is the Rock of Jesus Christ.  He brings hope to the helpless, rest for the weary, and healing to the broken in spirit.  He is the refreshing water of life.  Jesus gives quenches our deepest thirst.  He is the fountain of everlasting life.  To the woman at the well, He said:

Drink from the water that Jesus offers.  Find your satisfaction in Him.  Go to the Rock that is higher than what you are going through.

Anchored in Christ,
Aaron R. Force

11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
Philippians 1:11 (NLT)

A key to producing fruit that gives glory to God is to find contentment only in Him.  Joni Eareckson Tada, who is a dear sister in Christ with quadriplegia, once said,

In times of struggle or pain it easy to become self-focused and self-centered, but there is something more at stake and that is the glory of God.  If our contentment truly resides in God alone, than we will be able to say with Paul, “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”  May our heart be only content in Him and may He grant us the easy and light burden that He has promised.

“So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
 do not be discouraged. God is over all; 
count your many blessings—angels will attend, 
help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.”
-“Count Your Blessings” Hymn

Anchored in Christ,
Aaron R. Force

“…she bound the scarlet cord in the window.”
Joshua 2:21 (NKJV)

There is only one household that survived the destruction of Jericho.  Divine Providence spared the house of Rehab the harlot.  What was her saving grace?  A scarlet cord that hung in her window, visible for all to see.  The fine line between life and death was separated only by that thin red cord. 
Do you fear death?  If so, has not the crimson cord of Christ been hung in your window of your heart? 
As a bee will lose its stinger after stinging its victim, so death has lost its sting when it stung Jesus for those who trust in Him.  Peace and rest secure the heart of him who has tied the crimson cord of Christ by faith over his soul. 
How about you dear reader?  Have you trusted Christ as your savior?  Have you believed in Him who saves?  Have you washed your garments white in the blood of Calvary’s Lamb’s?  If not, then go up to the mountain of mercy.  Be cleansed by the perpetual tide of His grace.  If you seek Him, you will find Him when you search for Him with all of your heart.  Like the father of the prodigal son, the feet of the Father are ready to run to you when you turn to Him in repentance.  His arms are ready to embrace you and welcome you home.  I pray you will come to Him today.

“Go on up to the mountain of mercy
To the crimson perpetual tide
Kneel down on the shore
Be thirsty no more
Go under and be purified”
-“Beautiful Scandalous Night”

Anchored in Christ,
Aaron R. Force

“5 You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.”
Psalm 139:5 (NKJV)

Dear Christian reader in the midst of the bloody battle,
If you feel your strength is failing, let this be a joyful word of encouragement for you today.  Perhaps you feel as though your arm is so heavy that it is becoming difficult to wield the sword, the take courage!  Don’t lose heart! Press on good Christian soldier!  For God has put a hedge about you.  He is not only the King who rides on His mighty steed before you who has already won the victory, but He is your rear guard, your defender who is always watching behind. 
Remember Satan’s chief complaint to God about Job.  God had put a hedge about Job on every side.  No hound of hell could pass through it without permission from the Holy One. 
Nothing can harm you that God has not permitted in His infinite wisdom.  And if He has permitted hardship to find you, then take heart and be of good cheer, for God has considered you and found you to be worthy of such.  Without the storm there would be no rainbow. 
May God’s rainbow of promise shine through your storm and keep your heart strong, your head high, and your eyes on Him who goes before you and behind.  Victory is near.

Anchored in Christ,
Aaron R. Force

"20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped."
Job 1:20 (NKJV)

What did this upright and blameless man do when he had lost everything?  He worshiped.  There were no cries of anger, hatred, or malice towards God as he prayed, “You give and take away, blessed be Your name.”   No tongue can tell the depths of sorrow that washed over his soul that day as he received word that his children had perished.  No father should have to bury his own child.  But it wasn’t just one child that he laid in the ground that day; it was all ten of his children.  However, Job knew that there was a God in heaven whose ways are not his ways and whose wisdom is greater than man can fathom.  Job didn’t worship because he felt like it, he worshiped because God is worthy of it.

Horatio Spafford had a similar experience.  He was a man who lived in the 1800’s and was a friend of the great evangelist, D.L. Moody.  The Chicago fire of 1871 had wiped out most of the family’s investments.  Spafford decided to take his family on a vacation to Europe to lift their spirits.  He sent his wife and four daughters ahead of him while he wrapped up a few business items.  Tragically, the ship carrying his precious family sank on its way to Europe.  His four daughters were numbered among the 226 that drowned.  As Mr. Spafford traveled to be joined with his sorrowing wife, it is said that he wrote the famous line to his hymn, “It is Well with My Soul”, near the spot where his children had perished that states, “…when sorrows like sea billows roll – whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, it is well my soul.”

Faint not oh child of God for your Lord is greater still.  Not so much as a tear falls from your face without His knowledge.  He knows the depths of your pain like no one else and He cares for you. Don’t allow your circumstances, no matter how dire, hinder your worship to the Most High.

Anchored in Christ,
Aaron R. Force

“8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 (NKJV)

What an amazing truth that lies before us in these sweet words that tell of God’s unfailing love toward us.  How wonderful it is to know that God knows all my short failures before I ever confess them and He loves me anyway.  In His knowledge of my soiled sinful life, the depth of His love for me has never changed.  This gives me great hope as I come to the throne of grace with an open hand knowing that He knows all and He loves me anyway.

“…how unutterably sweet is the knowledge that our Heavenly Father knows us completely.  No talebearer can inform on us, no enemy can make an accusation stick; no forgotten skeleton can come tumbling out of some hidden closet to abash us and expose our past; no unsuspected weakness in our characters can come to light to turn God away from us, since He knew us utterly before we knew Him and called us to Himself in the full knowledge of everything that was against us.”
 - A.W. Tozer.

Dear reader, He knows you.  He knows all the wrongs you have done and He loves you anyway.  Like the prodigal son, your heart may be dabbling in the poison of the world.  If so, then return to the Father from which you have strayed.  He waits at the door of your heart ready to have sweet fellowship with you once again.  He is ready to run to you.  Do not think that your Father will give you a stone when you ask for the Bread of Life.  Come with open hands to the Father.  Lay your head on His breast and confess your sins to Him.  He knows them already and He loves you anyway.

Anchored in Christ,
Aaron R. Force

“29 So He said, ‘Come.’ And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.”
 Matthew 14:29 (NKJV)

Jesus beckons Peter to His side with one simple word – “Come.”  But who knew that such a simple word could be so hard to obey?  Under normal circumstances coming to the Master was a fairly easy task, but this time the Messiah stood in the midst of a raging storm.  His feet were firmly planted on top of the stormy sea away from the boat of safety.  And from the midst of the billowing waves He calls to Peter and says, “Come.”  Even though Peter was of little faith, he still stepped out of the boat and walked upon the water.  Sure he started to sink after a while before the Master caught him, but he still walked on the water.  Oh, how his faith must have been strengthened and his walk deepened with the Lord after that experience.

Is Jesus calling to you in this hour to do something out of your realm of comfort?  Is He softly pulling on the strings of your heart, beckoning you to come out to Him on the water where your feet have never been before?  If so, then fear not child of God, for the One who has called you is the One who will keep you.

If you want to go deeper with your Savior, then come to Him and see what He will do.  Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone today as He leads you.

Anchored in Christ,
Aaron R. Force

“No longer will you need the sun to shine by day,
nor the moon to give its light by night,
for the Lord your God will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.
Isaiah 60:19 (NLT)

If you were to close your eyes and dream of heaven, what wonders are painted by your pondering? Do you see the twelve gates, each made of pearl, or the golden streets that glimmer like glass in the sunlight? Perhaps you see the saints of old such as father Abraham, King David, Moses, or the prophet Elijah. Maybe you see your grandfather, grandmother, brother, sister, husband, wife, or child who trusted in Jesus and has gone before you into eternity.
Dear reader, if any of these are your first thoughts upon the mention of heaven, I fear that you may be missing that which is most precious, for Christ is heaven itself. His radiance shines so bright that it shames the sun in its brilliance. The sun and moon become obsolete in the light of His glory.
When we hear the word, “heaven”, let the first thing we think of be the warmth of His glory as it touches our face for the first time. Not only will we feel the warmth of his radiant beauty, but also the loving care of His sweet embrace as we are finally able to run into His arms and be blessed with beauty for ashes.

You may feel cold and numb by the bitter trials of night but take heart that joy will come in the morning to warm your soul as you trust in the King of heaven.  May we always be “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Anchored in Christ,
Aaron R. Force

“34 So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.”
 Matthew 6:34 (Amplified)

If Satan cannot have your soul, he will settle for your misery. How many hours have we wasted in misery; worrying about that which we have no control? Beware child of God that the time sucking parasite of worry does not find residence in the home of your life. It will eat away your soul like a slow torturous disease one day at a time. It devours the precious minutes and hours that God has so graciously entrusted to us to produce fruit for His glory.
Our Master has taught us to observe the sparrow of the air and the lily of the field. The sparrow has no great storehouse of food, yet its belly is full. The lily has no closet of clothes, but it is dressed in robes of splendor. How much more precious are you to the Lord than the sparrow and lily? Much more indeed!
Take your worries to the King and leave them at His feet. For who by worrying can add a single moment to their life? May each passing day find you “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

“Worry does not relieve tomorrow of its stress –
it merely empties today of its strength.”
-C.H. Spurgeon

Anchored in Christ,
Aaron R. Force

"For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God."
Deuteronomy 4:24 (NKJV)

Like a husband is jealous for his bride, unwilling for her affection to be shared with another, so our God is jealous for us.  His love of a jealous kind is like a consuming fire and it burns in the hearts of His children.  Like the silver smith who removes the impurities from precious metal, so the consuming love of God seeks to remove those things in our lives that would otherwise steal away our affection that is due only to Him.

Don’t be afraid of putting your heart into the hands of God for the refining, remembering that He is also “a merciful God” (Deut. 4:31).  His mercies are as sweet as honey.  Allow His refining work in your life and lay your entire being continually at His feet.  For it is only in the hands of the loving Potter that our lives can truly be transformed into the image of Christ.  Spurgeon once said, “We need the sacred fire to consume the dross.”  Will you allow Him to consume the dross in your heart?  Will you allow Him to free you from the bondage of the flesh so that you may walk in the newness of the Spirit?

  Don’t miss the transforming work that God wants to do in your life.

  May our hearts always and forever be, “Jesus, have your way in me.”

Anchored in Christ,
Aaron R. Force

“Pursue love…”
1 Corinthians 14:1 (NKJV)

The Christian has but one aim; to pursue love.  This love is not something that we pursue to receive, but something that we pursue to give.  Jesus said that it is more blessed to give than to receive and what greater blessing can we bestow on another, than love?  True love gives without ever a thought of receiving anything in return.  
 It was Christ that said we should love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength and our neighbor as our self.  Paul said that love is “the bond of perfection.”  Only those who pursue it and obtain it are known as true disciples of Christ.  
 Eugene Peterson says to “Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it…” The NLT says to “Let love be your highest goal!” The Amplified Bible says to “EAGERLY PURSUE and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]…”
As a mighty knight goes on a quest to slay the great dragon and seize its treasure, so the Christian is on a quest to slay the dragon of self and seize the treasure of love.  But unlike the fairy tales of old, this treasure is not to be used for selfish gain but is to be distributed to the poor and needy; from our hand to theirs.

Not merely in the words you say,
Not merely in your deeds confessed,
But in the most unconscious way
Is Christ expressed.
And from your eyes He beckons me,
And from your heart His love is shed,
Till I lose sight of you … 
And see Christ the Lord instead.
—Unknown

Anchored in Christ,
Aaron R. Force

“16 So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the Lord shut him in.”
 Genesis 7:16 (NKJV)

As the rains came down and the floods came up there was only one place of refuge from the storm and that was the ark. 
Dear friend, the rains will come and the waters will rise, but the question is, where will you fix your eyes?  There is only one harbor from the storm and that harbor is Christ.  Your face may be cold and wet with the rain drops of trial, but take heart for there is one ray of sunshine that pierces the darkness.  Step into the light and warm your face on the radiant presence of the Light of the World.  Let Him shut you in from the storm. 
Yes, we still have to go through storms, but as we are shut into Christ, we have much hope, security, safety, and comfort.

“Does Jesus care when my way is dark with a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades, does He care enough to be near?
O yes, He cares—I know He cares! His heart is touched with my grief;
when the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.”
 -“Does Jesus Care?” by Frank Graeff, 1860-1919

No matter how high the waters rise or how hard the rain falls, nothing can breach the great wall of the hand of God.  Take great comfort, dearly loved believer, that you are in the ark of God.

Your brother in Christ,
Aaron R. Force

"55 But if you fail to drive out the people who live in the land, those who remain will be like splinters in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will harass you in the land where you live."
Numbers 33:55 (NLT)

Dear Christian, these warnings to the children of Israel should be heeded by us as well.  God has given us wise instruction for life and godliness, but failure to walk in those good works brings much suffering.  I don’t think any of us would choose to have splinters in our eyes or thorns in our sides, but that is exactly what we need in our lives to remind us to get back on the straight and narrow path when we allow even the smallest of sins to take root in our hearts.
Perhaps you’ve noticed that your eyes have been blinded by the splinters of sin and you have been crippled by the thorns of disobedience, than I urge you to go to the One who gives sight to the blind and causes the lame to walk.  If you are willing to turn from sin’s dark shadow into God’s marvelous light than go and confess it to the One who is “faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Call out to God as John Wesley did in times past when he wrote the words:

Jesus loves you still and He awaits your return from the pigpen of sin. 
May the God of all mercy keep your foot from stumbling.

Anchored in Christ,
Aaron R. Force

“25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,
But a good word makes it glad.”
Prov. 12:25 (NKJV)

Oh, how easy it is to open the door of our hearts to the dark figure of anxiety? Upon his entrance we are immediately aware of his intentions to rob us of things like hope, peace, rest, and security.  There is an immediate weight of heaviness that gnaws at every fiber of our being.  Weariness seems to overtake us.  Even the simplest of tasks feel as though it takes every ounce of energy we have.  Thoughts begin to creep in like, “What’s the point?”, “I’m not good enough”, and “I just want to give up.”
At the heart of anxiety is fear.  Fear is the fuel that anxiety feeds on.  This could be a fear of the unknown, a fear of the future, and a fear of the “what if’s” of life.  But the scripture says that “…God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7) We would do well to remember that fear, worry, and anxiety do not come from God and should not be entertained.  Jesus also said that, as His followers, we should not worry because our Father in heaven is going to take care of our every need (Matt. 6:34).
So, how do we create a defense against fear, worry, anxiety, and depression?  This Proverb says that “a good word” makes the heart glad.  Well, here is a good word from Philippians 4:6-7 – “6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
 Do you want peace in your life today?  Do you want help for life’s problems?  Then bring your cares to God and receive the peace He has for you today.

May your heart know and rest in the peace of God and may your anxiety flee as you remember the assurance provided to you in Christ Jesus.

Anchored in Christ,
Aaron R. Force

“6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart.”
Deuteronomy 6:6 (HCSB)

Dear believer in Christ, have you soaked you heart in the Word of God lately?  Have you tasted of its sweet nectar and allowed it to warm the depths of your inmost being?  Are the glorious riches of the Word constantly being deposited into your mind?  If not, then seek it out with all of your heart and you will find times of refreshing for your soul.
When we plant ourselves next to the overflowing streams of God’s word, we begin to yield our fruit for Christ in its proper season.  As we drink from His overflowing cup, we begin to taste and see that the He is good.  It is those words of wisdom, through the power of the Holy Spirit, which keeps our way pure and our foot from stumbling.

May we take the time to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn, for only He has the words of eternal life.

Your brother in Christ,
Aaron R. Force