THE ONLY ONE

Wow! I can't believe how long it's been since my last post. Life gets quite busy at our household every Spring and this year we've been pleasantly busy with birthday celebrations and baptisms among many other things. I praise GOD daily for HIS abiding presence in our lives. It is a blessing.

As stated before in a previous post, I find daily devotional time to be vitally important. Keep GOD first!
Your days go so much better. Why? Perspective is based on HIM and HIS blessings, HIS grace, HIS mercy, HIS love and HIS promises. A recent study for me was based on the story of Noah found in Genesis 6-9.
As a child growing up, I loved the story of Noah's Ark, in part because I was an animal lover. However, today, after much growth and spiritual maturity, I love this story because of Noah and his love for GOD. It's amazing to think that in ALL the earth, Noah was found to be the only righteous man, worshipping and serving the Lord, following HIS commands and not the wicked ways of the world. Wow! THE ONLY ONE IN ALL THE WORLD!
 So often, people feel uncomfortable being the only one. However, GOD calls HIS children to stand out and be different. It's okay if you're the only one to stand on your faith and step out to do what HE has called you to do, despite what the world might think or say.  It's okay to be the only one praising HIM and expressing joy when everyone else is being negative and complaining. Does it take strength? Sure. But remember, HE gives us HIS strength.
I think what's most powerful to understand is that when we feel like we stand alone here on the earth, God in heaven is standing right along with those who love HIM. HIS Holy Spirit living on the inside of us gives us that strength to stand and be the only one living as HE would have us to.
Psalm 28:7 (NLT) says , "The Lord is my strength and my shield. I trust HIM with all my heart. He helps me and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving." 
Even in today's world, we as believer's in CHRIST JESUS can trust in the Lord and be filled with joy, loving HIM, following HIM, and most of all telling others about HIM.