April 26, 2026

When life is going great, when we’re reading the Word and perhaps even studying it, it is easy to see ourselves through God’s eyes. He loves us. Just as He loved Adam and Eve, just as He once walked with them in the Garden every evening. He wants to be with us, to share the world with us, to be a friend. But when life gets hard, when we are focused on survival and recovery from challenges, we lose focus. We are tempted to believe God does not care, that He puts tests and troubles on our pathway and He is watching to see how strong our faith will be.

That is not our God. His love is constant. Challenges are blessings. Growth in our character comes through perseverance and overcoming. God loves to see us mature to the point we make the devil quake in his shoes. When we count our blessings, we need to thank God for every trial and opportunity to grow more effective. He is Spirit. We can’t allow His voice to be drowned out by the world’s assessment of how we look, perform, or measure up! Keep it simple. Focus on God’s love. Stay in the Word and ignore the world! In His heart, He longs to walk with you in the Garden.

Father, Thank You for Your love. I am grateful for all life lessons, even the difficult or unpleasant ones. Help me see the growth potential instead of the pain. Lord, I know I cannot be a powerful influence in the Body of Christ, a reaper in the Harvest, if I am not willing to lay down my life in the service for others. Help me become an integral force for You, Lord.

I don’t call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. But I’ve called you friends because I’ve made known to you everything that I’ve heard from my Father. John 15:15