Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 139; Matthew 10:29-31; Romans 8:37; Galatians 6:9; Ephesians 1:4

On Valentine’s Day today, I’m thinking about how blessed we are to be alive at this time. It is not a mistake; it didn’t just happen. God chose you and me to live at this time in human history. He didn’t make a mistake about when we were born! And there isn’t one detail of our lives that is not seen or known by God.

Our God is so in control that His name is Alpha and Omega. He’s the beginning and the end. He is the Author and the Finisher of your faith. God knows that you were born at the perfect time, and He is so specific about you that He even knows how many hairs are on your head (see Matthew 10:30)! God knows when a little sparrow falls to the ground — and He declares how much more important you are than many sparrows (vv. 29-31). God is very vividly aware of you!

We must not allow what is happening in the world around us to negatively affect us and our view of God. So many problems seem to plague our society today:

  • political scandals.
  • scandals among clergy.
  • terrorism and threats of war.
  • rise in drug use and violence in schools.
  • rise in premarital sex and teenage pregnancy.
  • growing acceptance of illicit sex.
  • prevalence of pornography and extramarital affairs.
  • higher rates of addiction in youth and adults.

Subscribe to Denise’s 28-Day Journey Email Devotionals! None of these things should keep us from seeing that God is greater! Even though it seems the world’s level of living is spiraling downward and so many hearts and lives lie broken under the heavy weight of sin, the things of the world do not dictate the future of the Church! Certainly, hearing such statistics and reports on the news can bring fear to our hearts if we’re not careful. The Bible says that in the last days, men’s hearts will fail them because of fear (see Luke 21:26). Today there are more people (including children) on mood-altering drugs to control anxiety than ever before. The things that are happening in our society definitely provide a temptation for us to be anxious and afraid.

But my encouragement to you today is this: God, who knows your thoughts “afar off” and your words before you even speak them (Psalm 139:2-4), is completely able to cause you to be victorious in this hour — and in whatever circumstance you’re personally facing. Now is not the time to bow down to fear, but rather to rise up and let the love of God shine into your heart and then through you to a broken, hurting world.

The truth is, the state of our modern society does not intimidate God at all! His power in you is greater than any power that might come against you in this world. So take courage because you have all you need to be a conqueror in life. In fact, He has made you more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37) — so go ahead and rejoice and act like it’s true, because it is true!

I encourage you today to square your shoulders and hold your head high because you are a carrier of God’s Spirit. You have God’s power within you! You are anointed. You didn’t choose Him — He chose you. He chose you to live at this exact time, in this precise age. Therefore, you can look at every new day as your opportunity to produce fruit on this earth for the Kingdom of God and His glory.

Don’t let go of the promises you’ve received from God. And don’t let go of your conviction to do what’s right, even if others around you do not follow the same path. Continue to make sure you’re doing what God has told youto do. February may be called a season of love, but you’re going to reap a wonderful harvest in your own due season if you will not faint (see Galatians 6:9)!

Friend, I believe you are here on earth to do something that will count for all eternity. How can I and my team be praying for you today? Please contact us by replying directly to this email, and we will add our faith to yours concerning your deepest God-given desires and dreams.

In His great love,

Denise Renner

Denise Renner