Watch out for the Leaven!

Posted on October 14, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

From Henry:

14And they forgot to bring bread, so that they didn’t have even one loaf with them in the boat. 15And he gave them an order, saying, “Look! See that you keep away from the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” 16So they were considering it among themselves, “It’s because we don’t have bread.” 17But Jesus knew about it and said, “Why are you thinking that it’s because you don’t have bread? Have you not yet understood? Do you still have hardened hearts? ” — Mark 8:14-17

Leaven is an interesting thing.  Elsewhere, Jesus used it as an illustration of the kingdom of God (Matthew 13:33, Luke 13:21).  The key here is that you put just a little bit in, and it has a huge impact all around.

What we often fail to understand about this is that the “little bit” that we put in can be something good added to a bad situation, or it can be something bad added to a good situation.  It doesn’t take very much to change a situation for good or for evil, provided it is applied at the right moment.  The encouraging thing is that a bad situation can often be improved this way.  The discouraging thing is that we have to be very careful that our good activities are not polluted by some small amount of nastiness.

We tend to think of temptation as a frontal attack.  We’re ready to resist that.  Of course, I won’t spread a false rumor.  Of course, I won’t have sex with someone other than my spouse.  But the devil doesn’t approach things that way.  He just tries for a little bit of leaven.  You would resist spreading a false rumor intended to harm, but what about a story that is hurtful, but true, told in the wrong place?  You would not have sex with someone other than your spouse, but what about making an inappropriate comment so that others will hear, and might think that fidelity is not that important to you?

That’s leaven.  The Pharisees in Jesus’ day didn’t start out trying to create a legalistic system.  They started with God’s law.  Jesus himself told the crowds to do as they said (Matthew 23:1-12).  The leaven wasn’t that they were Pharisees, zealous for God’s law.  Jesus accused them (and we should be particular that it was particular ones) of being hypocrites, not of being fundamentally wrong.

It’s easy to get leavened.  I was commenting in a discussion recently that liberal churches have their temptation—it’s to become enablers.  They have great compassion for the sinner, but the temptation is to just keep on having compassion and never find a way of healing.  The temptation of conservative churches is to become critics.  They recognize the danger of sin, but the devil’s temptation is to join sin and sinner and condemn, rather than heal.  Since I call myself moderate, let me note that the devil has a special attack just for me—apathy, based on self-satisfaction.  I’m OK, because I’ve avoided those other sins, and if I just wait long enough somebody else will solve the problem.

None of these temptations goes head on.  Nobody says outright, “Let’s let the sinners all die in their sin.”  But the result is the same.  A little leaven, targeted precisely, was introduced, and good intentions produced bad results.

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Walls to Climb

Posted on October 13, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”…

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

John 6:60, 66 (NIV)

Sometimes God’s teachings are just plain hard! OK, we may start laughing but if there is any Believer out there who has not thrown up their hands and thought, “I just can’t get this!” or “I don’t want to get this!” …please write me and let me know!

First let’s notice that in both of these verses, John tells us that it is disciples who have determined that Jesus’ teachings are hard and are now going to travel a different path than the one that Jesus is walking. They are not just fringe, hanger-on’s or what we might say are ‘nominal Christians’. They have been around Jesus long enough to be identified as with Him. They are more than Believers. They are His Followers. They have seen some ‘stuff’. They saw Jesus miraculously feed 5,000. They probably heard the rumor of how He walked on the water.

Now…now they have hit the Believer Wall!

Each of us has been given a race…a journey…to complete. Each of us has a path. It is a path that Jesus will lead us if we allow Him to have the lead! Now the path has valleys and mountains. There are times when is flat and long. It has deserts. It has lush, beautiful gardens. Getting the picture? And then there is the Wall. It is that place that some might call a ‘faith crisis’.

I have had two Walls. One, not surprisingly, was on the path of my life marked ‘James’. It was that moment on the path when I realized that despite my prayers, and the prayers of literally thousands of others, it was God’s plan for James to die sooner than later. “Sometimes God’s teachings are just plain hard!” I think this is when I ‘got’ my first glimpse of looking with Kingdom Eyes. What I do and how I live is about more than me and the ‘moment’ of this world. It’s about living as a doer of God’s Kingdom Work. James has a legacy of Kingdom Work. But that’s for another time to discuss. The second Wall had a big $$$ on it. I’m not proud of the fact that I have had trouble learning this lesson. I have searched the Scriptures with a fair amount of diligence to find God’s truth about money. What I have found is that very few of God’s anointed and blessed servants were wealthy. Most of them seem to have little interest in money and great interest in obeying God and completing the mission He had given them. The mission wasn’t about making money! Jesus’ definition of ‘treasure’ did not include gold or the U.S. Mint. When I looked up from what I ‘lacked’ and began to count His blessings – I started to SEE my wealth! Going over a Wall may involve sweat and some skinned knuckles and knees – but I can do all things with Jesus who gives me the strength!

“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:67-69 (NIV)

And there is the Truth that brings us over the Walls we encounter. God’s Words are words of Life. Eternal Life. When we choose to Believe and Know that He is God – then we know that there are no insurmountable Walls.

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The Armor of God

Posted on October 10, 2008 by Henry Neufeld

Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong.  11Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks.   12We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world.   13So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.
14Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God’s justice protect you like armor.   15Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet.   16Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one.   17Let God’s saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God’s message that comes from the Spirit.
18Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God’s people.   19Pray that I will be given the message to speak and that I may fearlessly explain the mystery about the good news.   20I was sent to do this work, and that’s the reason I am in jail. So pray that I will be brave and will speak as I should.  – Ephesians 6:10-20 (CEV)

Do you put on the armor of God before going out to represent Jesus in the world?

I’ve seen many ways that Christians have of putting on the armor of God.  Some read this passage of scripture and meditate on it.  Others will pray a prayer related to each item of armor.  Some go through the motions of putting on the various items.  Some renew their armor when going into a particularly tough situation.  Others think that by asking Jesus to be with them and the Holy Spirit to guide them during their day, they have put on the armor.

I don’t want to criticize any of these approaches.  What I do want to do is remind us of the meaning of this armor.  I also want to remind us that we never want to take our armor off.  Even though the translation I read uses some slightly different terminology, I’m going to use the terms most people are used to for the item of armor.

Belt of truth – When you put on the belt of truth, you are surrounding yourself with truth.  Do you suit your actions to your words?  Do you surround yourself with truth, and present only the truth to others around you throughout the day?  God’s truth will protect you.  Walk in truth!

Breastplate of righteousness – God’s righteousness and justice is offered to you.  Put it on, but also take it in.  Let God’s righteousness become more natural to you each day.

Shoes of the gospel of peace – This means that you spread the good news where you walk, through the truth and righteousness you are wrapped in, and by the peacefulness of your actions.  Let your shoes spread God’s peace wherever you are.

Shield of faith – The Christian life doesn’t always go the way we’d like it to.  If we live by the moment, any dart the enemy sends our way can push us under.  But faith, which includes faithfulness carries us through whatever comes.

Helmet of Salvation – there is nothing like the assurance that God loves you to keep you steady.  God loves you.  He provided for your salvation.  He accepts you as you are.   Let that brighten your every thought through the day.

Sword of the spirit – don’t just take the sword in your hand as a book, but let God’s word pierce to your heart and judge your thoughts and attitudes.  The Christian’s sword is different from other swords in that we really need to use it on ourselves first.  God’s word is alive and active and reveals what’s really in you.  (Hebrews 4:12 & 13)

So today Lord, let me be truthful in all things.  Let me discern and hear the truth, but especially let me speak the truth.  Make it like a belt, all the way around me.  I want to show your righteousness and your justice.  Let it defend me from the enemy, but let me also spread that justice to those around me.  Let me be faithful, Lord, no matter what is thrown at me.  Let me put out the fires of attack and not fuel them.  Wherever I walk, let me bring peace because of the good news that you have bridged the gap and reconciled us to you, Lord.  Let me reconcile myself to others.  Let me spread reconciliation.  Give me peace and joy because I already know my salvation in you.  Thank you Lord!  I pray that your word will guide my thoughts and my life.  I pray that I will never use that sword to hurt anyone, but only to rid the world of evil and of hurtful things.  In the name of Jesus, Amen!

Paul tells us in Galatians 3:27 that if we have been baptized into Christ, we have put on Christ.  Each of these elements of the armor of God characterizes part of our relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ.

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Grace all the Way Down

Posted on October 9, 2008 by Henry Neufeld

4-5But God, rich in mercy, took action because he loved us so very much. Even though we were dead through the things we had done wrong, he brought us to life in Christ (you were saved by grace!) 6He then raised us up with him and made us sit in heavenly places with [in] Christ Jesus. 7This all took place so that in the ages to come he could show just how rich his grace is by his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith. Even that is not of yourselves—it’s God’s gift! 9It is not the result of works, so nobody can boast. 10For it is his workmanship that we are, created in Christ Jesus for good works. God prepared those works ahead of time so that we could walk in them [live that way]. — Ephesians 2:4-10 [My paraphrase to break up a long Greek sentence!-HN]

There’s a famous story about an old lady who, after hearing a lecture on how the heavenly bodies move, challenged the lecturer and told him he was wrong, that the earth was a flat disk that rode on the back of a tortoise. Cleverly the scientist asked her what the tortoise was standing on.

“You’re very clever, young man, very clever,” said the old lady. “But it’s turtles all the way down!” [Stephen Hawking, A Brief History of Time, via Wikipedia].

As humans, we don’t really like that kind of infinite regression, which is the point of the story. We want to find something solid on which to base whatever we’re doing. When it comes to our salvation there is no exception. We want to be able to look at our lives, our birth, our church membership, our good deeds, or just generally how cute we are, and find there a good solid reason why God would accept us. We’d really feel so much safer if we were truly (and of course successfully!) depending on ourselves.

This was called to my attention last night during Bible study at our church (taught by Dr. Wesley Wachob). The text was Romans 1:1, and the phrase was “the gospel of God.” First let’s break out gospel. It’s “good news.” Now you can play with that word “of” quite a bit. God’s good news. The good news that leads to God. The good news that comes from God. The good news that is God.

All of those have some validity. But there is a key point that’s easy to miss. The gospel is not a new invention. God didn’t come up with it at the last moment as a stopgap measure. He wasn’t caught off guard by the plunge of the sin market (or perhaps explosion?) so that he had to bail out the universe with a hastily patched together and compromised infusion of 700 billion units of grace! The gospel is as old as God!

There wasn’t a time when people were saved by works. There is no time coming when people will be saved by works. When Paul searches for support for the gospel he goes back to Abraham. Joshua 24 tells us that Israel’s forefathers worshiped other gods, but then God came and called Abraham. Why? Grace. Period. Abraham obeyed, yes, but that call came by sheer grace. He hadn’t obeyed yet! What’s more, the grace wasn’t just for Abram, as he was called at the time. It was for everyone.

What about the Jewish law, the Torah? I’m glad you asked. That is also God’s gracious gift. That’s how God chose to educate the Israelites and teach them how to live. One of the most profoundly spiritual experiences of my life was studying through Leviticus with Jacob Milgrom’s commentary in the Anchor Bible series. Milgrom is a conservative Rabbi, not a Christian. He finds God’s gracious action in the way that God leads the Israelites through the laws. It’s not the laws and the sacrifices that “do” things—God does them. Our sacrifice doesn’t cause forgiveness. The Israelite worshiper sacrificed in obedience, but it was God who did the forgiving. You’d be amazed at how grace is woven into Leviticus!

God shows us grace in various ways. God graciously leads us in various ways, but no matter how far back, how far forward, how far down, or how far up we go, we never get to a point where it isn’t grace. God created us all. He’s the answer to that ultimate question—why is there something rather than nothing? Quite literally you and I are absolutely, utterly, inconceivably nothing whatsoever without God.

It is not as though we can go most of the way and then God helps us. We can’t start, we can’t continue, we can’t come within sight of our goal without God. We can’t even conceive of the need for the journey without God.

We were dead, kaput, finished, completely and utterly lost and completely and utterly unable to do anything about it, and completely unaware that we needed to do anything. God steps in. “But God . . .”

God won’t leave us a single platform, a single ledge, not even a tiny hook on which to hang our pride. It’s grace all the way down. When we think we’ve finished looking at what grace can do, we’re just going to find more grace below. ALL. THE. WAY!

We have no rights before God. He graciously gives them to us. We have no claim to make. No human being, no finite creature whatsoever has ever had any such claim, nor will they.

Why emphasize this so much? I could say that the Bible does, but to be more honest I find it horribly easy to doubt or forget completely.

When you get desperate, remember that it’s grace all the way. God isn’t surprised by your situation and he has always had a plan!

When you pray, remember that it’s grace all the way. You don’t have to get it right. Just talk to him.

When you fall, remember there is no hard landing when you’re in God’s grace. It’s grace all the way down.

Height, depth, length, width, (Ephesians 3:18) whether space or time, it’s grace all the way.

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The Fight against Cancer

Posted on October 8, 2008 by Henry Neufeld

“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name your kingdom coe, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread.  Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lea us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’  Matthew 6:9-13(NIV)

Once again I am in the gap praying for a friend and also praying for someone I haven’t yet met.  They are battling cancer.  It is terror and overwhelming fear that I see in them with my physical eyes and with my spiritual eyes.  How to move from that place??!!!

Jesus is passionately telling me how to pray in this passage.  Here in the midst of His most famous sermon — He speaks of prayer.  He tells me to pray quietly and succinctly.  Get real in my prayers and get to the point in prayer:

  • God — You are Creator
  • Your name is above any other I could call on
  • You will have the final word in this world
  • Give me what I need today
  • Forgive me…every sin…forgive me
  • I forgive every sin committed against me
  • Lead me today away from the evil one an his schemes and temptations

That’s it.  Say it.  Mean it.  That covers it.  Any more additions are words said that help me to get to that place of peace passing understanding.  And that OK to say the rest — but realize that begging God isn’t necessary.  Talking God into helping me isn’t necessary.  God is already there!  God is already dealing with the problem!

“Because he love me, ” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.  He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.  With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”        Psalm 91:14-16 (NIV)

God has so many promises.  He even said in Isaiah 65:24 that before I call on Him — He answers and He hears while I am still trying to get the words out of my mouth!

Join me now and pray for those who are in battle.  Stand firm and know that God is here!!!

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Silence Speaks

Posted on October 7, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

When he [Jesus] was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a sing charge – the great amazement of the governor. Matthew 27:12-14 (NIV)

Mark’s gospel also says that Jesus did not respond to His accusers. Luke doesn’t mention Jesus interacting with the Pharisees. John, on the other hand, has Jesus speaking to the high priest. Jesus’ silence in Matthew’s gospel is speaking to me today.

I have had some experience with being questioned and accused by church leadership. Yes, it’s true. I suspect there may be some others who are reading this who have their own story. Jesus stands in silence. He knows the truth of the situation and He knows the truth of what is in the hearts of His accusers. I must rely on God’s Spirit to speak to me about what to do. In my situation, I was told to be silent. I did not want to be silent! I wanted to defend myself. I wanted to explain myself. AND I wanted to take a piece of my accusers! I admit it! Even today, at this minute, I still have to put myself beside Jesus and choose to be obedient and not speak!

There is so much for me to see and learn as I read and study Jesus’ life. He has walked the paths that I walk. He has felt the ridicule and judgment of others. He shows me how to respond. Jesus is also the example of church leadership. How to lead. How to encourage. How to hold each other accountable the way Jesus would.

In our silence, may we stand firm and keep our focus on God. May we stand for our beliefs and not be swayed by neither the opinions nor the judgments of others. And when God releases us to speak, may our words be pleasing to God, remembering that we are His ambassadors.

Help me, O LORD my God; save me in accordance with your love.

Let them know that it is your hand, that you, O LORD, have done it.

They may curse, but you will bless; when they attack they will be put to shame,

but your servant will rejoice.

My accusers will be clothes with disgrace and wrapped in shame as in a cloak.

With my mouth I will greatly extol the LORD; in the great throng I will praise him.

For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save his life from those who condemn him.

Psalm 109:26-31 (NIV)

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Change my heart, O God…

Posted on October 6, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (NIV)

Here is one of the many verses in the Bible where it is easy to skip the first statement and grab hold of the second statement because it’s a promise of good things! BUT if I am looking for the good things of the promise – then I need to look at the words of wisdom in the primary statement.

The big question today for me is: Do I want to delight myself in the Lord? Do I want to be obedient to what God wants in my life? Do I look for God’s way? Do I study and listen so I know what that is?

These are soul-searching personal questions. I can fool anyone, even myself, but not God. If I allow God’s Spirit to meet and examine my heart – then my relationship with God becomes clear – it becomes righteous – a right relationship. And then the desires of my heart are also the desires of the Father’s heart for me! We are on the same page. We are of the same mind.

The devotion today is shorter than usual. Take time today to read this psalm. Join me in letting the words seep into our hearts – and change our lives.

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God’s Diet for Me

Posted on October 2, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

Proverbs 27:7 (NIV)

Have you ever been hungry? I mean – missed several meals hungry? Most of us have no idea what that means. We have always had enough to eat.

The writer of Proverbs reminds me that when I am full of Thanksgiving dinner – even pecan pie may not sound good to eat. (for at least an hour!) But when I am “starving” – even liver and onions is a feast!

And so this verse in Proverbs becomes wisdom and a warning: “Fill yourself with ‘God things’, Jody, or ‘un-Godly things’ may tempt you!”

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)

How strong yet clear are John’s words!

John echoes Peter’s words that we should live as aliens and not crave the pleasures of this world. (1Peter 2) They both are quite forceful and explicit that looking at what we can accumulate here – money, ‘treasures’ if you will – will only end in – nothing – for it will all end in dust! Instead, when I look to God and walk in obedience to Him there will be abundant treasures that will not decay.

How do I know what is God’s will for my life? A decade ago there was a popular bracelet that many of us wore: “WWJD”, “What Would Jesus Do”. Jesus said that the food that he desires and sustains Him – is doing the will of His Father. (John 4:34) Whatever I do each day, am I able to ask God to bless it? Am I moving toward what He wants me to do each day or trying to beckon Him over to my way?

So – as I begin my day – do I sense God’s eyes on me? Do I know that He is watching? Do I sense His approval? His blessing? Each day I am learning to change my ‘diet’ so I am full of God’s chosen foods for me.

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Hello! God?

Posted on October 1, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”        Jude 9 (NIV)

In my mind, since I was a child, there has been a mental picture of Michael the archangel. He is HUGE! – like nine feet tall! And his wingspan would not fit in the sanctuary of most churches. He is dressed in armor with a sword in his hand. His eyes are steady – not mean but like he sees the truth of what is really happening and isn’t frightened a bit!

Michael is disputing (arguing vigorously) with the devil about Moses’ body. Remember how God buried Moses and it says that the site of the burial is unknown? (Deuteronomy 34) Do you think that satan might want to identify the spot so a shrine could be built? satan is all about idolatry! Remember that Peter wanted to build a tabernacle for Moses and Elijah? (Matthew 17) satan is sly and slick. Take a seemingly innocent idea and twist it into his own scheme – get us to give worship to someone or something besides GOD!

This is just one verse – but God just stuffs it with His wisdom!

Michael, the mighty archangel, who is in the throne room of God, when he is vigorously disputing with satan, does not call on his own strength to kick satan down. He uses the name that really has power – His one and only LORD! God has the power and the strength to send the tempter packing. How do you turn from temptation? Call on the name of the LORD!

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.

Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.

Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Psalm 105:1-4 (NIV)

When the tough times come, the tough Christians…fall to their knees! Yes, that is right! When I am on my knees with my heart and voice calling out to God, satan trembles in fear. He knows Who is there! Let me give you a classic example:

The worse time to get a family dressed and in the car is not every weekday going to school and work. No, no. It is getting the family dressed and in the car to go to church! From the moment I would open my eyes on Sunday morning, through breakfast and dressing three children, it was chaos and yelling and arguments! By the time I pulled up in the parking lot of the church, I was looking forward to Sunday school because that meant we would all be in different rooms! BUT the minute we got out of the car at church, peace would reign. It was like the devil would throw every stone he could until he realized that we were not going back – and he gave up! We were coming to worship our Lord and the devil wants none of that!

So if your day has a few bumps and unexpected curves – call on the name of the Lord – and He WILL lift you up!

Posted in Jude, Psalms | Comments Off on Hello! God?

Out of the depths I cry to You, Lord!

Posted on September 30, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; O LORD, hear my voice.

Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. Psalm 130:1-2 (NIV)

This is a word of encouragement for everyone who reads this today. If you are having a bad time in your life and the words of the psalmist rings for you – God is listening!

These words may be the cry of your heart if you have had an illness or you are a farmer and the rain has not come. You may have had a disagreeable discussion with your spouse or your son or daughter. Your job may be a dragging you into a pit that seems to have no stairway out.

“I am crying out to You from this pit, LORD! Hear me!”

God is listening. How do I know? Because others have told me. Joseph cried out to God from the pit his brothers had thrown him. He is rescued from there, seems to be in good shape, and he is thrown into a pit again…Pharoah’s prison. He is used by God to free others – but is left in that jail for another three years.

“Hey, LORD! Have you forgotten me?”

David is chased all over Israel by a paranoid, angry king! He has a couple of opportunities to kill the king – but he doesn’t. David, the anointed one of God, hides in caves and has few friends.

“God! Protect me from the hundreds who want to kill me!”

Even David was a sinner and felt short of God’s glory. God-in-the-flesh came to be through David lineage. God had a plan all along!

If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?

But with there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.

My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. Psalm 130:5-6 (NIV)

God is mercy. He is also merciful. He is FULL of mercy. He hears our cry and answers – not because I deserve it – but because He loves me. I am His child. He is goodness and kindness. Yes, He disciplines and sometimes I am in that pit in order to learn something. Call it a form of ‘timeout’! But God’s eye I s on the timer and He will not leave me or forget me. He rescues me! He pours out His love on me because He has com-passion!!!

So cry out to God today. Do not hold back your cries or tears. Throw it all on God – because He loves you! (1 Peter 5:7)

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