Why are we sad when a friend or loved one dies, especially when the Holy Spirit reveals to us that they were a Christian? We know from scripture that for those who believe and accept Jesus as their savior, their souls are with the Lord after they die (Philippians 1:

"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."– John 4:14 A few years ago in southeastern Texas, we experienced a

“But respect Christ as the holy Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have but answer in a gentle way and with respect. Keep a clear conscience so that those who speak evil of your good life in

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. ... Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body." – 2

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the

“Where God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love drives out fear. It is punishment that makes a person fear, so love is not made perfect in the person who fears.” – 1 John 4:18 Living life is scary, especially when there are stories in

This life is tough. Satan is the adversary who wants us to feel defeated and weighed down by our struggles and failures. His darkness attempts to blind us to God's love and His perfect plan. Each of us has times of struggle when life gets so dark that

“They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” – John 17:16 God designed the chameleon as a master of camouflage. Its skin changes its color patterns to blend into its surrounding environments. When the chameleon wants to remain unseen, it hides in plain sight, blending

“Then Jesus said to his followers, ‘If people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want. They must be willing even to give up their lives to follow me. Those who want to save their lives will give up true life, and those who give up

“Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.... Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." – Luke 14:21b, 23

“The Lord says, ‘My thoughts are not like your thoughts. Your ways are not like my ways. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.’” – Isaiah 55:8-9 We would like to believe that

“Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

“So that I would not become too proud of the wonderful things that were shown to me, a painful physical problem was given to me. This problem was a messenger from Satan, sent to beat me and keep me from being too proud. I begged the Lord three times to