With Us

The following link will be helpful in this devotional. “Open Bible”

“…Immanuel, God is with us.“

Isaiah 7:14 (NKJV)

Sometimes that truth is hard to comprehend.

But, God is with us. Not just at a distance—watching.

Do you believe that God, our Savior, cares about every breath you take?

The Spirit is with us in our daily day, constantly communicating Jesus and God, our Father to our hearts.

God is with us when we belong to Him.

He really is!

If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

Psalm 139:11 & 12 (NKJV)

What got me thinking about that is how discouraging the world around us can be if we take our eyes off of Immanuel.

When all of the violence and anger seem out of control. When families are pulled apart by animosity. When supposed fellow believers reveal their true colors and prove not to have ever really known Him.

And here is a big one—bad health. Any bad health. Pain, aging, depression, illness, self-harm, addiction…

Whatever your darkness is, remember-

“Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth 

peace, 

good will

toward men!”

Luke 2:14 (NKJV)

God wants His sons and daughters to be filled with peace. His peace. The peace that overcomes the dark.

And what about good will. Have you ever thought about that phrase?

Another way to say it is kindness.

When the darkness intensifies, remember, God’s kindness leads you to repentance. It is God’s good kindness to give you the kingdom. And at just the right time His kindness (His good pleasure) gave You Jesus.

Each of those statements are from scripture. Do a search to see what they should mean to you.

We tend to compartmentalize the Bible into Christmas, Easter, and everyday passages. But that’s wrong. God’s Word, every bit, is fitting for any moment.

God’s kindness to people was shown by sending His Son. This should help His people sense His abiding presence always.

Look at what Jesus said.

“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Luke 12:32 (NKJV)

Look at the fruits of the Spirit. They are His attributes of pure holiness and majesty. They are designed to identify you as His, allowing others to see Him in you.

They help you sense the Presence of God’s own attributes which include-

Love – Joy – Peace – Patience – Kindness – Goodness – Faithfulness – Gentleness – Self-Control

Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

Because of God in your life you can deeply sense His love, His joy, His peace, and so on.

But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.

Job 32:8

That is what is truly meant by being favored by grace. It is true abundant living.

This is not tied to temporal things.

Wealth, importance or beauty can’t touch the fulfillment of God being in a believer’s life. Always.

You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.

Psalm 119:114 (NKJV)

I hope you know Him deeply. I hope you love Him and bring Him honor in your days.

Share the love of Jesus with this dark and hurting world.

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.