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Listen while you read: "In The Garden"1 (Lyrics) |
Isaiah 12:2 – Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. (NIV 2011)
We all go through fearful and unsettling times. Sometimes, those moments occur when we're worried about our families or friends. At other times, we may be concerned about our careers or work projects. There may also be times when our health declines or something accidental occurs in our lives. Whatever the circumstances, we feel frail and vulnerable, unprotected and absolutely human.
When we are fearful, it helps us to understand that God is always faithful. His words and promises from the past become relevant and meaningful to us, especially when we read them in times of trouble or crisis. God's Spirit reaches to us across the centuries from the pages of the Holy Scriptures to let us know that He is with us, standing beside us, or even carrying us through painful moments and worrying times. Grace and love are the great gifts that He bestows upon us. Compassion and comfort are blessings that will sustain us, enabling us to endure and overcome whatever assails us.
Today's verse from Isaiah is a beautiful promise that can help us to get through our present difficulties and personal problems. As Christians, we receive these words through the blessings of our Saviour Jesus Christ, Who forgives our sins, guides us through life, and restores us to God's everlasting favour. Our faith is focused on Him, because in Him we have everything that we will ever need in this life and the next.
Questions for personal reflection: What presently troubles or worries me? How can God's promise through Isaiah help me?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Saviour of our souls and the light of our lives. In You and through You, we experience God's grace, love, and compassion. Thank You for allowing us to come to You with our prayers and problems. Thank You for being with us every day. In Your holy name, we gratefully pray. Amen.
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Wednesday, April 17, 2024 – In Toronto, Ontario — Praise God for the Alpha series at Knox Presbyterian Church, Toronto, Ontario, as they conclude the series today with over two dozen guests and many supporters. Pray that God may continue to bless and guide them and bring lasting results for Christ in the lives of guests and helpers.
Prayer for P.: "Update April 15, 2024; Please keep praying for P to find new accommodations.**March 22, 2024: P is..." 
Thank you John. I need that.
Blessed promised. Thanks for sharing John.
You are a good man John Stuart.
God bless you.
Thanks for writing this pick-me-up devotional. A timely reminder during my battle with the strain of flu not included in the vaccine. Feeling some better now. Blessings.
My goodness you have hit the nail on the head for me to-day. Thanks, seems inadequate but I do say it. You have helped tremendously to ease my mind May God Bless You.
Thank you for the devotional, John Stuart.
It made me think of Psalm 56:3&4:
I pray that God will keep you, and all of us Christians, trusting more and more.
Keep writing.
Again I must say thank you, John. I consistently pray for my daughter who is going through great testing and she lives far away from me. I have to trust Jesus and encourage her in her faith and I’m grateful for Email which makes this possible. Your devotional this morning speaks to my heart.
God has given you a great gift and I thank you for sharing with us.
(B.C.)
Dear John: The subject which your Devotional offer today came at a time when I needed it most. My wife’s physician substantiated my self-diagnosis and prognosis concerning my wife and her deepening dementia and its forthcoming effect upon her.
I feel I have done the best I could over these past years, beginning her primary caregiver, then advocate, a watchful supervisor and time spent with her as a visitor. How I shall miss her when that time comes for our Lord to take over. So thank you John for reminding me that her leaving this life will be for a better one that she will immensely enjoy forever. Lord, let it be so.
May God continue to bless you.
Dear Mr. Stuart.
I just read this message again. It really helped me to re-read your assuring
words.
Again, thank you. Blessings.