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The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold   of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1   Have No Fear A Christian is a soldier. It's a battle to take up our cross every day. It's a battle to be both a sinner and a saint (Rom 7:14-25). It's a battle to exercise faith over fear. But have no fear, Christian. Remember, we’re never alone in the battle. We have a Savior who won the war. We have a Heavenly Father who is patient and gentle. We have a Helper, the Holy Spirit. Our Lord & Savior, Jesus To be a Christian is to have a Savior. So have no fear, Christian. Jesus Christ lived the sinless and perfect life we couldn’t ever live. Jesus was so obedient to His Father's will that He willingly went to the cross (Phil 2:6). There on that cross, He suffered and died for our sins - past, present, and future. He died the death we deserved. He took all of God's wrath against our sins and satisfied God's justice completely. Jesus was our perfect, once and for all Substitute (1 Pet 3:18, Heb 9:28). He took our punishment in full. He paid off our massive debt we owed to God. He triumphed over sin, Satan, and death. To top it all off, three days later Jesus rose again from the dead, with over 500 first-hand witnesses recorded of His resurrection. So now, whoever believes in Jesus shall not die in their sins but have the gift of eternal life (John 3:16). God's love for us is best displayed when we look to the cross, His Son. Jesus is our Light and our Salvation. He is the Stronghold of our life (Psalm 27:1) So, have no fear, Christian. Look at what Jesus did for you. Look at how much God loves you. Now that is Good News! The key is remembering the Good News in the midst of the battle. It's the king of all perspectives to have but not always easy to keep. But it's always available to us to believe, ponder, and cherish. This is where real peace comes from (See John 14:27). So don't let the battle rule over you. Instead, believe, ponder, and cherish Jesus our Savior, and let the peace of Christ rule your heart (Col 3:15).   Our Patient & Gentle Father To be a Christian is to have a patient and gentle Father. So have no fear, Christian. We don't ever need to be afraid of our Heavenly Father. He wants us to come to Him with everything; just as a small child comes to his Mom or Dad - humble, trusting, and obedient, even when he doesn't understand, or even when he's in trouble. Our Heavenly Father doesn’t ever demand anything hard or unreasonable from His children. He's compassionate. He knows our weaknesses. Therefore, He's patient and gentle. While temptations can overwhelm us and repentance can be hard, Jesus reminds us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Mat 11:30), and the truth sets us free (John 8:32). Even so, our Heavenly Father will still allow trials to come. But in those trials, His discipline is always loving. Trials are there to prove our faith, not to God because He already knows our faith, but to ourselves. Seeing evidence of our own faith gives us assurance of our own salvation. In that is real joy and peace to know we truly are God's children. Trials are also there to strengthen our faith and make us more like Jesus (Rom 8:28-29). This is the main goal of the Christian life...to become more Christlike, little by little, until our Heavenly Father calls us Home to be with Him.   Our Helper, The Holy Spirit To be a Christian is to have a Helper. So have no fear, Christian. We have The Holy Spirit who gently convicts us of sin, comforts and encourages us, guides and teaches us. He gives us wisdom, discernment, and true understanding of God's Word. He guides us away from lies, error, and false teaching and into sound doctrine and His truth in all matters of life. We have the Best Helper to live out our Christian life...and to help us experience real victory along the way. God's grace is always sufficient in every battle, and Jesus reminds us that the Holy Spirit will be with us forever (John 14:16). How comforting and encouraging that is!   Run with Endurance, Solider! To be a Christian soldier is to live a life that is full of courage, victory, joy, peace, and purpose, even in the midst of our suffering and trials. Therefore, have no fear Christian. Jesus is our Light and Salvation, the Stronghold of our life. He won the war for you and for me! Of whom shall we be afraid?…No one and nothing. Now go and be strong in the strength of His might, and take up the full armor of God today, Christian soldier! (See Ephesians 6:10-20). Cast off every weight that slows you down, especially the sin that so easily trips you up. And may you run with endurance the race God has set before you, soldier. Me too. Let's do this by encouraging each other to keep our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith (See Hebrews 12:12) . “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12   Jesus Saves She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 The name Jesus comes from the Hebrew name  Joshua  or  Jehoshua,  which means  “Jehovah will save.”  In this verse, the angel tells Joseph that Mary’s baby will be the very incarnation of God's salvation, and He is to be named Jesus. The tiny baby laying in the manger is God Himself, and He is the One who will save His people from their sins. Isn't it interesting how Christmas is celebrated throughout the entire world? Christmas is such a "magical" time that other religions and even athiests come together to celebrate it! As Christians, we've been given the immense privilege to know the true reason for the season, and that's Jesus. Let's get together to celebrate Him! Jesus saves. He's saved us from our sins and given us eternal life!   Only One Way After Jesus’ resurrection, Peter talks about the importance of Jesus' name.  There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved ( Acts 4:12). Only in Jesus do we have life and salvation. Tragically, the masses believe the lie that many roads lead to Heaven. As Christians, we know the Truth. There is only One Way, and that’s Jesus Christ, Lord over everyone and Savior to everyone who believes.  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me”  (John 14:6). The stunning fact that God provided  even one way  for us to live forever shows just how gracious He is.   Faith in What? From the moment we first believe in Jesus, God energizes our faith and continues to preserve it until He brings us home to Heaven. The work God begins in a person's heart, He always finishes. (Phil 1:6). It’s not faith that saves us, but it’s the object of our faith that saves us, and that’s Jesus. Even if I have a weak faith; I know that I am saved by a strong Savior who won’t ever let me go (John 10:27-28). My Christian faith isn't in faith itself but in Christ alone. "It is not great faith, but true faith that saves; and the salvation lies not in the faith, but in the Christ in whom faith trusts." Charles Spurgeon   The believer’s continued faith in Jesus is evidence of God’s keeping power (1 Pet 1:5), not our own. I am not saying we don't have human responsibility. There are two truths that run parallel: God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. How those two truths operate together, we don’t know on this side of eternity. But we do know that both are true. We know both the person and the Holy Spirit live the Christian life. We know we rely on God's grace, not our own strength to live the Christian life.   True saving faith in Jesus may waver or fail at times, but it’s permanent in that it never dies. It's a true faith. A true believer could never stop believing nor could he ever completely turn away from the faith that was once handed to him. Because God is the One who keeps us, not ourselves. We can never lose our salvation because it’s His grace that saves us, helps us walk in His ways, and keeps us forever. What a reason to celebrate, not just around Christmas but every single day!  And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at His birth, (Luke 1:14). "It's not your hold of Christ that saves you but His hold of you." Charles Spurgeon   Dear Heavenly Father,   It's Christmas, and I praise You for the greatest gift ever: Jesus is my Savior. Jesus lived the perfect life for me, suffered and died on the cross for me, and three days later He rose from the grave. Jesus saved me from my sins and gave me eternal life, by grace through faith in Him. Even my repentance and faith in Jesus is a gift from You (Eph 2:8-9). Lord, help me to talk about Jesus and not shy away when the opportunity arises. Help me to not just say “I have faith.” Help me to communicate clearly what and more importantly WHO my faith is IN. Help me to boldly and gently say Jesus’ name when talking about my faith, my hope, and my joy. Help me to point everyone to the real reason we celebrate Christmas. And that's Jesus, the tiny baby lying in the manger who created Heaven and Earth, the Savior of the world, and the reason for the Christmas season, every season, and life itself. Praise the Lord! Jesus saves!    All glory belongs to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In His name, I pray amen!   Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25  to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 1:24-25 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.  Philippians 1:6 I am the light of the world and whoever follows Him will not walk in darkness but have the light of life. John 8:12

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Grumbling to Gratitude Dear Heavenly Father,   I praise You for choosing me before the foundation of the world to belong to Jesus (Eph 1:4-5,11). I praise You for giving me a new and thankful heart through faith in Jesus (Eze 36:26). Today, help me to walk in that newness of life You've given me (Eph 4:24). Today, the only thing I want to be filled with is Your Holy Spirit. For whatever fills my heart guides my steps. Today, I don't want to be guided by my feelings or the push and pull of the world. Today, I only want to be guided by Your Holy Spirit, resting in Jesus while I work and go about my day.  Today, when I start being discontent in my heart or complaining out loud, help me to see my sin for what it is and turn away from such nonsense….because I have everything to be thankful for! Jesus is my Savior! As a child of God, I have no reason to grumble about anything or anyone, even though I am often tempted to at times. Today, help me not give into that temptation. Help me to resist the devil, and he will flee. Help me to come near to You instead (James 4:7-8). Grumbling only grieves the Holy Spirit, and I don't want to do that to Him. Today, I want to thank Him and be joyful in Him. Lord, I believe, help my unbelief (Mark 9:24)! For I know all of my sins can be overcome by simple faith in God's Word (See Mark 9:23). I know the perfect cure for grumbling is gratitude for the hope I've been given in Jesus. The Locomotive Truth Regardless of my earthly circumstances, help me to turn to Jesus in thankfulness for my eternal circumstances. And what magnificent circumstances I've been dealt! The Royal Flush! I am saved by grace, empowered by grace, sealed for Heaven, and kept by Your power forever. I am in Christ. I belong to Jesus! Lord, today will you help me keep that eternal perspective in my thoughts? Even when I can’t always rejoice in my earthly circumstances, help me to rejoice in the Lord always (Phil 4:4), knowing that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 3:8). May my feelings be all the boxcars and the caboose to the locomotive Truth in Jesus. Today, may my feelings be hooked up to the the Truth of Your Word....transporting feelings of love, joy, and peace, patience, goodness, and faithfulness, kindness, gentleness, and self control. What precious cargo!   Bold Enough to be Gentle Help me go about my day by today being reminded who Jesus is and what Jesus did for me. Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Jesus died on the cross for my sins, was buried, and three days later He rose again…so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. Lord, today help me keep the Gospel Truth in the forefront of my mind. May my heart overflow with thankfulness that sends praise upwards and spills outwards into blessings for others.    Today, help me to tell someone about Jesus. Lord, help me to be bold enough to be gentle in my approach and confident in my delivery…with the words that You give me at the time. Even if I fumble over my words, I know it's only Your power that brings a person to Jesus (1 Corinth 2:1-5). Help me to be bold enough to be gentle and leave the results up to You. I know that Salvation belongs to You, Lord. (Ps 3:8, 62:1, Rev 7:10, Jonah 2:9). And I am Your vessel. Help me to be empty of myself so that Your power has all the room to flow through me, boldly and gently. (2 Corinth 4:7, 2 Corinth 12:9-10). Today, help me to grow in gratitude for the grace that You've given me through faith in Jesus. He gets all the glory! In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen! Always be joyful. 17  Never stop praying. 18  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 19  Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20  Do not scoff at prophecies, 21  but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22  Stay away from every kind of evil. 23  Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 24  God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Jenna's recommendations of Christian ministries that hold to biblically sound doctrine and reformed theology with faithful ministers of the Word who provide trustworthy teaching and exegetical preaching on Scripture through selected sermons, podcasts, and biblical lessons. Resources Gospel Interview of the Week Is This Another Mario? Get Your Kleenex Ready Ray Comfort Living Waters Ministries Paul Washer Heartcry Ministries John MacArthur Grace to You Ministries Alistair Begg Truth for Life Ministries RC Sproul Ligonier Ministries Tim Conway Tim Conway Ministries My Other Recommendations Johnny Ardavanis Dial In Ministries Sinclair Ferguson Ligonier Ministries Justin Peters Justin Peters Ministries Tim Challies Tim Challies Ministries Todd Friel Wretched Radio Voddie Baucham Voddie Baucham Ministries Doreen Virtue Doreen Virtue Ministries Allie Beth Stuckey Allie Beth Stuckey Ministries My favorite Classic Theologians Charles Spurgeon Jonathan Edwards Martyn Lloyd-Jones Martin Luther John Calvin George Whitefield Faithful Gospel Preachers False Teachers to Avoid "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 Check out Jenna's latest prayers and devotions, and be encouraged in the Truth. Writing

It's the Truth that makes the melody really sing. Listen to Jenna's growing repetoire of piano hymns with a little classical piano by her favorite composers. Jenna's Music Play Video Play Video 01:01 This is My Father’s World 1 This is my Father's world, And to my listening ears All nature sings, and round me rings The music of the spheres. This is my Father's world: I rest me in the thought Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas-- His hand the wonders wrought. 2 This is my Father's world: The birds their carols raise, The morning light, the lily white, Declare their Maker's praise. This is my Father's world: He shines in all that's fair; In the rustling grass I hear Him pass, He speaks to me everywhere. 3 This is my Father's world: O let me ne'er forget That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet. This is my Father's world: Why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King: let the heavens ring! God reigns; let earth be glad! - Maltbie D. Babcock Play Video Play Video 01:26 In the Garden I come to the garden alone While the dew is still on the roses And the voice I hear, falling on my ear The Son of God discloses And he walks with me And he talks with me And he tells me I am His own And the joy we share as we tarry there None other has ever known He speaks and the sound of His voice Is so sweet the birds hush their singing And the melody that He gave to me Within my heart is ringing And he walks with me And he talks with me And he tells me I am His own And the joy we share as we tarry there None other has ever known I'd stay in the garden with Him 'Tho the night around me be falling But He bids me go, through the voice of woe His voice to me is calling And He walks with me And He talks with me And he tells me I am His own And the joy we share as we tarry there None other has ever known - Charles Austin Miles Play Video Play Video 01:44 Have Thine Own Way, Lord 1 Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Thou art the potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still. 2 Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Search me and try me, Savior today! Wash me just now, Lord, wash me just now, as in thy presence humbly I bow. 3 Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Wounded and weary, help me I pray! Power, all power, surely is thine! Touch me and heal me, Savior divine! 4 Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Hold o'er my being absolute sway. Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me! - Adelaide A. Pollard Play Video Play Video 01:42 Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 ❤️ O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There’s light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free! Refrain: Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace. Thro' death into life everlasting, He passed, and we follow Him there; O’er us sin no more hath dominion-- For more than conqu’rors we are! His Word shall not fail you--He promised; Believe Him, and all will be well: Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell! Helen Howarth Lemmel (1922) Play Video Play Video 01:28 Count Your Blessings When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. Refrain: Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your blessings, see what God hath done; Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your many blessings, see what God hath done. Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, ev'ry doubt will fly, And you will be singing as the days go by. [Refrain] When you look at others with their lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold; Count your many blessings, money cannot buy Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. [Refrain] So, amid the conflict, whether great or small, Do not be discouraged, God is over all; Count your many blessings, angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey's end. [Refrain] Johnson Oatman Jr, 1897 Play Video Play Video 01:26 Abide with Me Abide with me, fast falls the eventide The darkness deepens Lord, with me abide When other helpers fail and comforts flee Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away Change and decay in all around I see O Thou who changest not, abide with me I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if Thou abide with me Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee In life, in death, o Lord, abide with me Abide with me, abide with me Henry Francis Lyte (1847) Play Video Play Video 01:50 Moment by Moment Dying with Jesus, by death reckoned mine; Living with Jesus, a new life divine; Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine, Never a trial that He is not there, Never a burden that He doth not bear, Never a sorrow that He doth not share, Moment by moment, I’m under His care. Never a heartache, and never a groan, Never a teardrop, and never a moan; Never a danger but there on the throne, Moment by moment He thinks of His own. Never a weakness that He doth not feel, Never a sickness that He cannot heal; Moment by moment, in woe or in weal, Jesus my Savior abides with me still. Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine. Moment by moment I’m kept in His love; Moment by moment I’ve life from above; Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine; Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine. – D.W. Whittle Play Video Play Video 01:07 Tis’ So Sweet to Trust in Jesus (I have a cool story about this hymn so it’s one of my personal favorites.) 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus Just to take Him at His Word Just to rest upon His promise Just to know, "Thus saith the Lord" Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him How I've proved Him o'er and o'er Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus Oh, for grace to trust Him more I'm so glad I learned to trust Him Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend And I know that He is with me Will be with me to the end Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him How I've proved Him o'er and o'er Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus Oh, for grace to trust Him more Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him How I've proved Him o'er and o'er Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus Oh, for grace to trust Him more Oh, for grace to trust Him more - Louisa M Stead Load More

Jenna's recommendations of Christian ministries that hold to biblically sound doctrine and reformed theology with faithful ministers of the Word who provide trustworthy teaching and exegetical preaching on Scripture through selected sermons, podcasts, and biblical lessons. < Back Ray Comfort Living Waters https://livingwaters.com/ My Favorite Sermons & Biblical Teaching