Quotes from Darlene Zschech

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:5–7, NLT

There is so much wisdom in the straightforward words of A. W. Tozer: The church is famishing for want of his presence. The instant cure of most of our religious ills would be to enter the presence in spiritual experience, to become suddenly aware that we are in God and that God is in us. This would lift us out of our pitiful narrowness and cause our hearts to be enlarged.2

In a simple meal with His disciples, Jesus offers the wine and bread as symbols of His body and blood so that they—so that we—will never forget His magnificent sacrifice that broke the power of sin in our lives. In the Lord's Supper, in worship, in thanksgiving, let's remember God's goodness to us.

It's the squeeze we've endured that proves to the world that the final product is worth it. From

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Psalm 119:37, NIV

Never write people off for making a mistake! God does not work this way, and neither should we.

Never have there been so many words and images coming at us 24/7. They come through our senses and enter our minds. But so many of them are worthless and lead to worthless thoughts. Never has there been a greater need to watch what we watch, to monitor what we see and hear, to protect our children from the enemy's assault through worthless things and images.

David hit a point in his life when he knew that he had to get his mind back on the things of God. Revenge, discouragement, lust, greed—none of the ugly emotions of life were going to get him through his trials. Only God could do that. So that's where he needed to refocus his mind and life.

The old adage tells us "Garbage in, garbage out." I'm afraid too many of us who are believers in Christ don't take proper care of what we feed our minds. So much in the way of entertainment is not honorable. We are taught to be cynical and skeptical, even about truths of God. But God's Word doesn't warn us about the negative in these verses. Through Paul's letter to the Philippians, God tells us to fix our minds on the positive.

Nothing will encourage someone who is struggling more than your willingness to stand beside them and help sort it out with the wisdom God has given you.

For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. Philippians 1:20, NLT

It seems that those God has called to lead often face much opposition and much temptation. Pray that their ministry will be powerful, and pray genuinely that they and their families would thrive under God's protection.

Even when we are confused and struggle, if we will only stay in the conversation with God, He will take us where we need to go.

We can entrust our life into His hands. Jesus also teaches us the most important prayer any of us can utter: Your will, O God.

We live in a world that is lost and in a moment of intense darkness. Have we fallen asleep when our Lord and Savior has asked us to stay awake with Him? Are we sleeping in spiritually and letting momentous events and opportunities pass us by? My dear friends, let's wake up and draw close to Jesus.

When we sleep spiritually, we forget how many people around us are lost in

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. Philippians 4:11–12, NLT

My friends, for followers of Christ, it is impossible to give without receiving something back. It may not come back from the person or group we gave to. It may not come in the exact form we expected. But be assured, giving is rewarded! What gift do you have to give today?

Work as unto the Lord, remembering that He is the one who promotes you.

Poise can seem like a superficial posture, almost like one is acting as if everything is okay when things really aren't. I believe true poise goes much deeper and is a reflection of what we really believe inside of us. Paul's confidence in the goodness of God was so strong and sure that not even an empty belly threw him off his game. He was content whatever. I know my God is good, and I want to show that to the world, whatever.

Our obedience to God will not always achieve the results we want, but our ultimate call is not to be successful, but to be faithful!

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. Matthew 28:19–20, NKJV

Father, I fix my mind on you today. I won't allow the petty distractions of the world to rob me of the power of your Word that sustains and keeps me in all situations.

Whatever God gives us is to be shared. When blessed financially, we share with those in need. When we are given a special insight from God's Word, we share with a group or friend. When God lifts our spirits, we encourage the discouraged. When we have a roof over our heads and food on the table, we offer hospitality. Most importantly, when we receive the gift of salvation, when we are made His disciples, we make it our purpose in life to help others become disciples.