Author: Lori Casto

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. Galatians 1:6-7

Sometimes a scripture hits me in such a way that I’m drawn to read it repeatedly. This is one of those times. There will always be people trying to throw us into confusion and pervert the gospel. There will always be seasons we may be swayed to go our own way.

I wonder if the people who Paul was talking to realized they had deserted Christ. Did the people even realize they were listening to the wrong voices? Had they not been grounded? How long had they been Christ-followers before deserting Him? I’m sure there are commentaries on this scripture, but right now I just want to ask without searching for the answers.

This scripture is so intriguing to me because it seems that these exact words could be preached from any pastor right now, 10 years ago, or 50 years from now. God and His word are the same yesterday, today and forever.

The wrong voices are everywhere. That’s why it’s so important to be constantly in His word and talking to God.  There are so many opportunities to become confused. There are so many things in life that can pull us away from Christ. But here’s the thing:

People can’t pull us away from Christ if we don’t let them. We must be willing participants. People aren’t that powerful. The only way people can have power in our lives is if we give it to them. God is way more powerful than man. We were given free-will to choose Christ or go a different direction. The people Paul is talking to had ALL chosen Christ. They ALL had deserted Christ or were in the process of deserting Him. I don’t like these odds.

 1 Peter 5:8 says… “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”  

Satan uses man to help devour people. That’s why its so important to be constantly reading God’s word and praying.

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10

 I’ll say it again- Satan uses man to help devour people. That’s why it’s important we ask ourselves who we are pleasing. Are we trying to win man’s approval or God’s? The answer to this question is the key to our stick-ability with Christ.

If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. 1 John 5:9

“Choose you this day who you will serve…”  How will you devote2day? 

Praise the Lord!

Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty firmament!

Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!

Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with clashing cymbals!

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!       Psalm 150

When tempted to grumble… praise God instead

When tempted to question… praise God instead

When tempted to complain… Praise God instead

When tempted to forget… praise God instead

When tempted to remember… praise God instead

When tempted to gossip… praise God instead

When tempted to criticize… praise God instead

When battling with loneliness… praise God instead

When battling with fear… praise God instead

When battling with exhaustion … praise God instead

When battling with hurt or anger … praise God instead

All throughout the day and before bed…PRAISE THE LORD

O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thoughts afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, you are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

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. For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You. Psalm 139:1-18

I find this scripture so comforting. My father, God, knows everything about me. He knows my thoughts before I do. He knows where I am, now and in the future. He goes before me. I can’t hide from Him. He’s at the end of my day before I get there. He was with me at my beginning, and He will guide me through till my end. He’s here to pick me up when I fall and celebrates my successes.

You never have to feel like you’re alone. If Jesus is Lord of your life, you always have His presence, guidance, and protection. He’s here to comfort, celebrate, and be your hope. There is so much to discover through God’s word. Taking time to read the Bible and pray each day will keep you connected to The One who knows you best and loves you most.

How will you devote2day?

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Psalm 121

God is awake all the time- even at 3 in the morning. He is our helper. He is our keeper. He is our protecter. Everything in existence was made by God. If He can put the sun, moon, and stars in place, He can certainly preserve and take care of you and me. So why are you worried? Why do you fear? What do you need to let go of and give to God? He wants to help. Let Him.

How will  you devote2day?

When life brings you challenges, don’t forget God’s “benefit package.”

Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103: 1-5

The more I spend time with God through prayer or reading His Word, the more I see Him at work in my life. I am aware of his “benefits” and thankful for His mercy, forgiveness and protection.

1-Jehovah Rohi – The Lord my shepherd Psalm 23:1

2 – Jehovah Jireh – The Lord my provider Genesis 22:14

3 – Jehovah Rapha – The Lord my healer Exodus 15:26

4 – Jehovah Shalom – The Lord my peace Judges 6:24

5 – Jehovah Nissi – The Lord my banner Exodus 17:15

6 – Jehovah Tsidkenu – The Lord my righteousness Jeremiah 23:6

7 – Jehovah Shammah – The Lord is there for me Ezekiel 48:35