Bread Crumbs – Devotions for Life

What, then, shall we say in response to this? 

If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:31

I am with you and for you. You face nothing alone—nothing!

When you feel anxious, know that you are focusing on the visible world and leaving Me out of the picture. The remedy is simple: Fix your eyes on Jesus.

Young, Sarah (2004-10-12). Jesus Calling: Seeking Peace in His Presence (Kindle Locations 1240-1241). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. 

The only fear that God encourages is the fear of God

Fear of people does not come from God. The problem is that many Christians fear people more than they fear God. Their fear hinders them from pleasing God because they waste their efforts appeasing other people.

Most fear is fear of the unknown. We do not know what lies ahead of us, so we become apprehensive. Our imaginations can magnify problems until they seem insurmountable. We need a sound mind to see things in proper perspective. That is why God gave us His Holy Spirit, to enable us to see things as God sees them.

Fear will enslave you, but Christ has come to set you free.

Blackaby, Richard (2006-12-01). Experiencing God Day By Day (p. 34). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Lean on God, not Yourself

The early Apostles all sinned, not out of ignorance or malice, but out of fear of the Jewish leaders. These leaders had blinded their hearts so much they didn’t even know they were sinning. It’s truly astonishing that great men, such as Peter, Barnabas, and others, were so easily tripped up.

If God isn’t with us, we are nothing at all, no matter how great our gifts may be. If he removes his hand from us, our wisdom and our knowledge are nothing. If he doesn’t constantly uphold us, the greatest amount of knowledge will be useless, even if we are experts in theology.

Luther, Martin; Galvin, James C. (2009-05-19). Faith Alone: A Daily Devotional (p. 34). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. 

After Blessings Comes the Battle

Aren’t your times of deepest depression the moments that immediately follow your loftiest highs? Just yesterday you were soaring high in the heavens and singing in the radiance of the morning. Today, however, your wings are folded and your song is silent. At noon you were basking in the sunshine of the Father’s smile, but by evening you were saying from the wilderness, “My way is hidden from the Lord” (Isa. 40:27).

Have you considered why the change comes so soon after the blessing? Simply to show that it is the sequel to the blessing. God shines His light on you to make you fit for life’s deserts. He lifts you to new heights to strengthen you so that you may go deeper still. He illuminates you so He may send you into the night, making you a help to the helpless.

Reimann, Jim; Cowman, Mrs. Charles E. (2008-09-02). Streams in the Desert: 366 Daily Devotional Readings (p. 60). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. 

Seek first the Kingdom of God

If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God, it will make in the end no difference what you have chosen instead.

Lewis, C. S. (2009-03-17). A Year with C. S. Lewis (p. 39). Harper Collins, Inc.. Kindle Edition.