Imagine that you had a very wealthy relative, and one day her attorney called and told you she had died and left you a million dollars. The money, he added, was deposited in a bank in your name, and you could draw on it at any time.
You'd act on it, accepting by faith that what the attorney had told you was true, and you were now a millionaire.
In a far greater way God offers us a gift- the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. Christ has done everything possible to provide it for you; all you need to do is believe and receive.
"This is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life." 1 John 5:11-12

Once we come to Christ we are no longer just individuals. We are no members of Hs family- what the Bible calls "the church, his body". We are now part of that vast group of people throughout the ages who have trusted Christ and are our brothers and sisters in His family. Although we'll never meet most of them this side of eternity, we're still united spiritually with them. This transcends any local church or denomination; it includes all who truly belong to Christ. The local church of which God includes you is your family. Some have the idea they can go from family to family and still be effective in His kingdom. Not so!
" Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior." - Ephesians 5:23

" O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory.  Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You." Psalm 63:1-3 (NKJV)

Yes, I seek and thirst after God, Sometimes I feel like I am in a dry and thirsty land. I know where and who the Living Water is. Let me gaze upon Your strength and glory. May I praise , honor, and glorify You all the days of my life.

Abba Father, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. I know those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled,  I need to focus more on You and not on me. Let me lift my eyes up in the sanctuary and worship You in spirit and truth.-Amen!
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I have asked myself hundreds of times why God sometimes allows evil to flourish- and I don't have the full answer to that question. Evil is real, however,if we ignore it there is more danger ahead. Evil is so real that it cost God's Son His life.
But, I do know this: Even in life's darkest hours," God is our refuge and our strength". Not money, not military might, not diplomacy, not human cleverness- but God. Is God your refuge and strength? He can be, as you open your heart and life to Jesus Christ.
Psalm 46:1-3 (CSB)
God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.  Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas,  though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with its turmoil.Selah

 " Then Paul answered, "What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart?
For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of
the Lord Jesus." So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, "The will of
the Lord be done." -Acts 21:13-14 (NKJV)
How many of us really pray, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done"? Or
"not my will but You will be done"? Are we afraid to do so.
Are we so selfish that we want our will over God's will? Those who pray
and who follow God's will are those most fulfilled in life. Am I?

Abba Father, it was a shock to hear of the deaths of those I have known
over the years. But it only makes us aware of how fragile life really
is and how quick;y death can come not only to the aged but the young.
​May I be prepared to die but to live now for You.-Amen!