Do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you

"Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you.
But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly."  (1 Peter 4: 12 - 13)

Times and seasons are divine appointment.

"1 There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. 2 A time to give birth, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant. 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build. 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. 5 A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them; a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces. 6 A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away. 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak. 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. " (Ecclesiastes 3: 1 - 8) 

The Lord's acts of mercy are not exhausted

"The LORD’s acts of mercy are not exhausted,
his compassion is not spent;
They are renewed each morning—
great is your faithfulness!"  (Lamentations 3: 22 - 23)

How good it is to know that God's acts of mercies are not exhausted and that God will never be tired of being the Father of Mercies and the God of all consolations.  Father, thank you for giving us the consolation of the truth in your word.  I wake up every morning knowing that with the new day will be new favors.  Like David, I look out for them as the Day unfolds.  Faithfulness is the very essence of your name, O Father.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
on your own intelligence do not rely;
In all your ways be mindful of him,
and he will make straight your paths."  (Proverbs 3: 5-6)

Lord I need to trust you completely today with all my finances and jobs.  You have been good to me.  Help me not just to trust you but always and everywhere to know that I trust you.  Lead and guide every thought, word and action today.  I need also to trust you completely today with my family, health, tools, food and future.

Lord Jesus, let trusting you completely in everything today drive out all fears, worries and doubts from me.  You say:  "Perfect love drives out fear."  (1 John 4: 18).  You also say:  "Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  (Luke 8:50; Mark 5: 36)  Lord, I want to trust you more than I want to do anything today.  Help me!

My yoke is easy and my burden is light

" Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,* and I will give you rest.
 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."  (Matthew 11: 28 - 30)

Lord Jesus, thank you for this beautiful and generous invitation.  I run to you to give me the promised rest from my labors and burdens.  I labor and find nagging questions about my productivity and fruits.  I am burdened by debt and my inadequacies.  You say, 'Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.'  What do you want me to learn from you?  Your meekness and humility of heart?  So this is the price to pay for the promised rest?  I am prepared to pay it but you will help me.  Just as you cover me with your righteousness, give me as an act of mercy and grace a meek and humble heart.  Remember that you promise to give us anything we ask in your name.  I accept your yoke and your burden because I believe that your yoke is easy and your burden light.  I reject the alternative.

Every perfect gift comes from God the Father

"All good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change."  (James 1:17-18)

Every good gift we enjoy comes from God, who is the perfect Father.  He knows the needs of each of of His children.  Yesterday was Sunday and I enjoyed one of God's good gifts, a full Sabbath rest.  During my morning prayer on Monday, I gave thanks to God for the wonderful weekend He gave me to enjoy.  Less than an hour later, I was getting ready to leave the house.  I caught myself worrying about what the new day will  bring.  Then this scripture hit me:
"All good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change."  (James 1:17-18)

How could I think that the same God who dealt so mercifully with me during the weekend will abandon me on Monday?  Are there two Gods?  One for the weekend and the other for the weekday?  No there is only one God, the Father of mercies and God of all consolations who is the Father of lights who never changes.

My God, you are an excellent Father.  Help me to trust you on Monday as I trust you on Sunday.

Walk by faith and not by sight

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways—oracle of the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways,
my thoughts higher than your thoughts."  (Isaiah 55: 8 - 9)

When fears, anxieties and doubts assail my heart, I try to counteract them by remembering the precious promises of God in His word.  I hear this little voice in my head asking, "Can they be true?  They sound too good to be true."  When this happens, I remember this master word from Isaiah:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways—oracle of the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways,
my thoughts higher than your thoughts."  (Isaiah 55: 8 - 9)

Yes indeed!  God's thoughts are not our thoughts.  His ways are not our ways.  Look at Sacred Scripture from Genesis to Revelation.  They are filled with stories of where God's thoughts and ways confound our little minds.  The greatest instances of these are found in the Gospel.  Jesus Christ, Son of God was born of a Virgin in a stable.  He was crucified and died.  On the third day, He rose again from the dead.  Although it is difficult for the human mind to comprehend these events, they are nevertheless true.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways—oracle of the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways,
my thoughts higher than your thoughts."  (Isaiah 55: 8 - 9)

If we want to enjoy the precious promises of God in our life, we must do what the Holy Spirit asks us to do - Walk by faith and not by sight.