There isn't much that we can find safety in today. Our world is devoid of safety because it has said no to God. And when we say no to God in school, and no to God in government, and no to God in marriages, and no to God in society... Then God leaves, resulting in the world you and I live in today.

I could remember when there was security and peace in churches, schools, and even our world because there was a fear of God that rested upon the hearts of men (Humanity). Prayer was in schools, and God protected our children; prayer was in Churches, and God protected our churches, and prayer was in our countries, and God protected our countries.

We have abandoned God in our schools, government, and our Churches... Most churches have a form of godliness but no power. Where can we go? Where can we run to from such evil, such hate, and such darkness as we are experiencing in our world today? Our text today gives us the answer, and it says, "The

Darkness can be one of the scariest things for a child, and it can be for most adults as well. I can remember my daughter wanting to have the light on even though we were in the room because she was afraid of the dark. We were there with her, but she was uncomfortable in the dark. I get it. It's just how some kids are. But even for us as adults, we get scared of the dark because our darkness is not necessarily being in a room without light but it's about our mental, emotional, and spiritual life.

We all want to be honored and recognized, and praised. It is the human propensity to want to be valued. However, honor can be something that causes one to be puffed up or boastful. It can make a person think more of themselves than they should. Paul is walking in humility, which leads to honor. Without humility, there can be no honor. Rick Warren says, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less." Hence, Paul demonstrated this in our text; he was thinking of himself less and focused on the gospel message, which is him thinking of others more than himself.

Humility will enable us to testify to the good news of God's grace. We cannot be effective in the kingdom of God without humility. The Bible says, "Clothe

Giving praise unto God is one of the most beautiful, peaceful, and loving experiences one could ever have when it comes to being in the presence of God. The Bible is clear that God inhabits the praises of His people; in other words, he comes and dwells with us when we praise Him.

God bless you.

Discipline is training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience. (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary).

Interestingly, the definition includes training and obeying rules, and then there is punishment to correct disobedience.

The writer of Hebrews is giving us the methodology or the action steps that we must take on our spiritual journey. We are very undisciplined people regarding our spiritual journey, and we are lackluster about the discipline it takes to live this spiritual life. The journey requires discipline; with it, we are going through the motions with progress and permanent results.

Now, getting into physical shape and living a healthy lifestyle takes discipline in what we eat, sleep, exercise, and regular medical checkups to ensure that we are healthy. Likewise, there's a discipline required for our spiritual life, our spiritual journey. Our current generation is more concerned about our appearance, not caring about our spiritual life.

As with the physical, our spiritual journey requires discipline and strict training. The question is:

How often do we train spiritually?

How many times a week do we pray? Read the word? Fast? Meditate on the word that we read.

Pray for others?

Give to others?

These are all spiritual disciplines that are required for our spiritual journey. Never slack off on your spiritual discipline; the journey is long, and we must win. God bless you.

I've come to realize and understand on my journey with God that he answers prayers according to his will and purpose for our lives. There are some prayers that God answers, and the answer is NO, but in our humanity and immaturity, we say that God did not answer. But he did answer; it's just that it was NO, and because we have this belief that when God says No, it's unanswered prayers, then we are disappointed. But he's the God of unanswered-answered

Elijah prayed to God to take his life; after his triumphant victory against the prophets of Baal, he is threatened by Jezebel, the enemy of the saints...that Lucifer spirit that she's going to kill him. He is on the run because of that statement from Jezebel, and now he comes to God and says in isolation, "It's enough, kill me, I want to die," paraphrasing here...

Have you ever played hide and go seek? Indeed, most of us have. It was one of those games where you hide, and the other person tries to find you. The goal was not to be found or to be the first one found. You win if you cannot be found, and the person says, "I give up"

I can remember my youngest daughter playing hide and seek. She would be very, I mean, extremely upset when she was found. In her mind, she should never be found. My wife and I would laugh because we have come to understand that hide-and-go-seek is no fun if you are never found.

He is making himself visible so that you can find him. He says I will be found by you. He wants all our hearts to want him. Finding him is where you get your deliverance, breakthrough, and strength.

Go find your God family. He will be found by you. He is saying here am I... I am right over here. Be blessed on your journey; you will find him.

Another sure way to hear God is through his Word. Engage God through His Word. In other words, God speaks through his Word, and when we engage him in reading and meditating upon his Word, he speaks.

One of the most powerful things that we can do as believers is to pray the Word of God. It is a next-level type of praying. We are more entuned to what God says in his Word for us and about us, and we remind him when we pray his Word what He says in his Word, which causes Him to respond according to his Word.

Family, I am convinced that hearing from God requires reading and praying his Word, don't take for granted the best-selling book of all times that you have in your possession. It's got the answers to every situation you may face in life. Pray that Word, and read it. God will speak and bring life to you. Be blessed.

We cannot stress enough how prayer is essential to hearing from God. Our text today says, praying always, with all prayer and supplication in the

Family, God wants to speak; are you willing to speak to him in prayer? Then make that your priority for the rest of your life: God, I will always pray even when I can't see it, Lord. I still believe that you are working all things for my good.

If we are going to hear from God, giving up is not an option when we pray and do not see anything, we must trust him. He is going to speak. God bless you today.

Hearing from God requires a clear mind, one that is free from anxiety, stress, worries, and woes. God wants us, all of us, and our full attention. Thus, he invites us to give all that concerns us over to him. He says in our text through Peter, cast all our cares upon him. God's interested in you and all that concerns you.

Pride can rob us of our deliverance, blessings, and breakthrough. Let us kill pride and just be honest with God. Tell him that we need his help. Tell him I am upset, angry, ashamed, and weak. Just tell him the truth; he wants to help and is willing to help us. Be honest with God, and he will speak to you. Be blessed as Life's Happening.