The Arkansas Traveler

Romans 12:9-13 (ESV)
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
10  Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in
showing honor.. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,
serve the Lord.  12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be
constant in prayer.  13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek
to show hospitality.
++++++++++++++
    Hope turns our focus away from ourselves. It turns our attention to
God who is walking with us through life, and turns our attention to
those around us who need encouragement.
    So wherever  you are in these days of uncertainty, LOOK UP and LOOK
AROUND! Trust God and be active in being HIS arms, legs, and voice in
serving others.

2 Timothy 1:5-7 (NASB)
5 For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you .....
6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is
in you through the laying on of my hands.
7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity (fear), but of power and
love and discipline (sound mind).
+++++++++
     In the world where we live, there is much that can be fearful. We
could focus on our circumstances and become paralyzed by fear. But, as
Christians, we need to look beyond the circumstances and see what God is
doing. He has promised us power and sound mind. That means that even
when we face fearful situations, we can look to God to walk through the
storms with us.
        Someone has said that courage is the absence of fear. For the
Christian, courage is the faith to trust God in the face of fear. We can
recognize the seriousness of our surroundings, but trust God and not be
afraid! We can take appropriate precautions while trusting God for the
result.

    This hope will not disappoint us, because God's love has been
poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to
us.                      ----Romans 5:5 (CSB)
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    Note that this hope comes from God's love and does not depend on
our circumstances!

Romans 5:1-2

    Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ,

    through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into
this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

++++++ Note all the strong words in these verses: faith, peace, grace,
and hope. This serves as a good introduction of the chapter. Read it for
more.

I Peter 1:8-9

8  and though you have not seen Him (Jesus), you love Him, and though
you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy
inexpressible and full of glory,

9  obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

++++++++++++ In these days of uncertainty and confusion, we need
reminders of God and His love for us. Indeed, He has promised never to
leave us! He has not promised roads with pot-holes, or roses without
thorns. But He has promised to care for us through it all! Glorify Him
by trusting Him!

Philippians 4:6-7

    Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

    And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard
your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

++++++++++++++++++++

    This promise is something we must hold on to during the difficult
days in which we live. It is not meant to make light of any of our
problems. It is rather to call us to trust God. As we trust Him, we are
to take all prudent precautions and stay away from danger as much as we
can.

    So whatever inconvenience you are experiencing, keep looking UP and
looking around! This too will pass and we will be better people because
of it.

    Pray for your pastor, your governor, and your president, and all
others who are charged with making difficult decisions. Pray also for
all the health care and other professionals who put their lives on the
line to serve us.

Lamentations 3:22-24

Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning;
Great is your faithfulness.

"The LORD is my portion" says my soul,
"Therefore I hope in Him"

Psalm 121:5-7
The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade on your right hand.

The sun will not smite you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

The LORD will protect you from all evil;
He will keep your soul.

Isaiah 12:1-3
Then you will say on that day,
"I will give thanks to You, O LORD:
For although You were angry with me,
Your anger is turned away,
And You comfort me.

Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;
For the LORD GOD is my
strength and song,
And He has become my salvation

Therefore you will joyously draw water
From the springs of salvation.