<FONT size="2"><FONT COLOR="purple">May God bless you this week! Who here has ever had that uneasy feeling in their gut, how about a sense of foreboding or even been panic-stricken about an upcoming event. We all wonder what the future holds for us, rarely does God even give us a peek at it. This has been a source of concern for all of us at one time or another and for some the mystery of the future is cause for real fear and dread. It is a completely human trait to have some sort of caution, when dealing with the unknown. Do you know why you fear the unknown? Fear of the unknown or fear of the future is caused by trying to rely on our own abilities to take us through the many possibilities that lie ahead. With all the things that can happen to us and the many things that could go wrong, we must stop depending on our own talents, good though they may be, and place our confidence in God.</FONT c>

The Word:
2Corinthians 1:9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. [10] He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,

<FONT COLOR="purple">Even the Apostles had that same concern for the future, theirs was even scarier because they had been struggling for their very survival! It was as much a mystery to them as yours is to you! God knows that the future He has for us is going to be much bigger than our own strength and He keeps it hidden from us so that we will trust in Him. God knows you, heck he made each and every one of you! He knows your struggles and your strengths. He will not let you go through anything that you cannot get through with HIS help. Did you catch that last part, we have to include God in our future if we expect to make it through our future! God is able! There is one theme that is repeated throughout the Bible. That is to be at peace with yourself and your life, as a matter of fact there is one command from God that is the most repeated command ever. Before I tell you what it is let me tell you that God had it written down in different ways over a hundred times! It is simply this: Do not be afraid! A simple enough command from God, see he knows us all to well. He knew that He would have to tell us over and over, because of our nature. His wish for us is that we rise to the occasion and perform to the level of this command. I won't quote all of them but here is one anyway.</FONT c>

The Word:
Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

<FONT COLOR="purple">While God has made us in His own likeness, and given us talents according to His will, He rigged it so that we will need Him. It is still our choice to invite Him into our daily activities and to place all our trust in Him. If we can do just that His promise is that He will give us peace through the Holy Spirit. That peace is one of the things that makes a Christian different. That peace is what God wants to replace our fear with!.</FONT c>

The Word:
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

<FONT COLOR="red">Pray with me: Father I am not at peace, I need your help. Send your peace to me Lord. I surrender my life to you, I surrender my future to you, it is in your hands now, Lord. Give me the strength to trust you with my life. I do not know how to trust in you for the unknown, Lord. Help me to learn. I want to rest in the peace that trusting you brings. I want that life where I do not fear, because you are with me! Change me Lord, fill me with that peace. I am taking the first step, Father, I am trusting you for this prayer. Help me Lord in Jesus name. Amen</FONT c>

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<FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial">This message has been edited by SLattier on 02-19-2001 at 03:51 AM</font>

Wow, Steve...all I gots to say to that is one big ol' Texas-style <FONT face="comic sans ms"><FONT COLOR="blue"><FONT size="4">AMEN!!!</FONT s></FONT c></FONT f> (gee, that was alot of ubb code for just one word. )
I find myself constantly worrying about the unknown future...questioning God. It's almost as if I'm saying, "God, I trust You...sorta." I heard this really cool song in one of Celeste's videos...I think it was the Joseph video that Dreamworks did. Anyway, the lyrics really stuck in my head when I read your devotional:

"You know better than I. You know the way. I'll let go the need to know why; I'll take what answers You supply. You know better than I."

The rest of the song is really cool to, tho I can't remember the lyrics...

Another one that comes to mind from God's Property and Kirk Franklin.

"I know that I can take it. I know that I can stand. No matter what may come my way, my life is in Your hands."

Thanks for the reminder...I need it once in a while.

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Michelle