Ultimately, there's nothing that can fill the emptiness of the human heart - but God. There's no solution to war, prejudice, and injustice - but God. There's no satisfaction for the cravings of the flesh - but God. There's no healing for the brokenhearted, lonely and desperate - but God. There's no turning point for human depravity - but God. There's no deliverance from addiction and heartache - but God. 

The 'But God' factor breaks every generational curse that reaches you through Adam's sin. One Greek translation of the word 'spirit', is 'air'. When you were 'dead in trespasses and sins' (Ephesians 2:1), God breathed divine air into you. Paul says, 'And you [He made alive], when you were dead [slain] by [your] trespasses and sins' (Ephesians 2:1 Amp). 

The truth is, you never really lived until you met the Lord! The 'But God' factor turns tragedy into triumph. It's the turning point in your story. Hell would be partying today, 'but God' chose to lavish His mercy and grace on you. 

Listen: '...though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich' (2 Corinthians 8:9). Rich in wisdom. Rich in achievements. Rich in relationships. Rich in 'all things'. 

Despite satan's efforts to destroy, diminish, defame and discourage you, God never once took His hand off your life. He brought you to an understanding of Jesus as your Saviour and Lord; now He's raising you up to fulfil His purposes. No matter how bad things may look today, rise up and declare 'But God!'

"Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills {his purpose} for me. He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me; God sends his love and his faithfulness. I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts - men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. They spread a net for my feet - I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path - but they have fallen into it themselves. My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. "

(Many of the reflections on each page are used with the kind permission of United Christian Broadcastors (UCB) from their FREE daily devotional - The Word for Today. They allow the publication of 52 of their passages per year and I find their messages apt and though-provoking for the times we live in.)

A Circle of Prayer around the world praying for and with each other, for peace and for a world in crisis. Please read more about it and perhaps join us, prayer was never more needed than it is in these times!

Praying all year round for the souls of our deceased relatives and friends, for the souls of those most in need of prayer and for those souls in purgatory who have nobody to pray for them.