Straining Ahead

 

     Mistakes made, lessons learned, memories made, blessings counted. Yes, the past has it’s share of all of the above. We can’t discount it. We need to learn from it. We can work our way through it. And look ahead. Right?

     Unfortunately, the past can hold us hostage. It can keep us from moving forward from hurt and guilt, from abuse, from pain, from grief. Jesus offers us a way through and out. A hope and a future. Can you give everything to him?

     The past can be just that…the past. Learn from it. Gain wisdom from all you  have experienced. And listen to the voice that calls you out. The voice of the One who loves you so much. Your Savior. Your Father. Your Jesus.

     He will listen to your past hurts. And He will heal them. He will walk you through your past experience. And find a new way. He will deal with the voices from behind. And lead you forward. There is new life. There is transformation. There is deep love. Look ahead. There is a future.

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do. Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. Philippians 3;13

Father,

Straining toward what is ahead is no easy task. We think back. We look behind. Teach us to learn, with Your wisdom, from our past and to move ahead with You in charge, using all of the past to give us hope and a future.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Eternity In Our Hearts

 

     We don’t want to face death. We avoid the reality of aging. But whether we want to admit it or not, each of us has eternity in our hearts.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in our hearts. Yet, no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

     What is the condition of your heart? Are you ready to face the next life? Did you know Jesus is ready to save you? Just believe!  Eternity is guaranteed.  Forever is yours.

     For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but will have eternal life.  John 3:16

     Let him come near to you.  He loves you with an everlasting love. He died for you, rose again, and overcame death. Eternity is in your heart. You feel it. You know it. And He is the answer. He is the way.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:5

     And, pass it along. Your children knowing Jesus is the greatest gift of all.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4

Lord,

Take away fear and doubt. Let everyone come to know You and let the thought of eternity fill our hearts with deep joy and longing.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Celebration Day

 

Wisdom belongs to the aged and understanding to the old. Job 12:12

    Today is a day to celebrate! Today I take a deep breath and let it out.  It is our daughter’s 32^nd birthday. She is my friend, my organizer, my first call for fashion help and she is beautiful inside and out. She is faith-filled, kind and just plain fun to be around. We are blessed.

     This is a banner day for me in addition to celebrating this birthday and maybe that is why God had me thinking and writing about eternity this week. I had to face deep questions at the age of fourteen when my dad died in his sleep. My mom and I became interdependent on one another and she was my best friend. The year I became engaged, she was diagnosed with advanced cancer. I was 31. My mom would not live to see my 32^nd birthday.

     There was a suppressed goal within my heart I did not know was there until it was attained today, to see my child turn 32. In addition to this milestone, I have experienced becoming a nana, another astounding blessing for me as my mom and dad did not get to meet our precious daughters.

     Today we are blessed. Today we celebrate. Today our treasured Angela turns 32! And the good news of Jesus, the one I found when I questioned the reality of eternity, moves on to the next generation. The best news is that our daughters know Him well. Pass it on. Share the wisdom you have gained. You are loved

Now that I am old and my hair is gray, don’t leave me, God. I must tell the next generation about Your power and greatness. God. Your goodness reaches far above the skies. You have done wonderful things. God, there is no one like You. Psalm 71:18-19

Father,

Your good ness reaches above the skies. We thank You for our daughter as we celebrate. Please let this be a year filled with Your sweet blessings.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Now Is The Time

 

     The aging warrior. The young man with questions. The young child accepting Jesus. We are all on the journey.  Each one asking the questions of life. Why am I here? What happens after we die? Is heaven real?

     Those deep questions are there for all of us, even when we hold them at bay. When crisis comes knocking at our door, when death arrives too soon for a loved one, when storm clouds are racing in, we can’t help but fall on our knees and pray.

     And God is there. The answers to those deep and soul-searching questions can ultimately and definitively be resolved with one name, the name above all names. It is Jesus.

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we may be saved. Acts 4:12

     I pray you know Him. I pray you will accept Him as Savior before the end of the age.  One day, every knee will bow before Him. Don’t miss out on heaven and life everlasting! This is the time of grace.

Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue  acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father, Philippians 2:9-11

For He says, “In the time of My favor, I heard you and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor. Now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

Father,

The name of Jesus Christ reigns above all other names. One day every knee will bow in that knowledge. Let us bow now while the day of salvation is here.

Amen

Eternal Eyes

 

     The pain is there, deep within their gaze. Decades of life are written out in the lines and wrinkles, are walked out in their lumbering gait, are lived out with purpose and passion. Do you know them? The older men and women of faith? I do. I have loved them, leaned on them and learned from them for decades and I pray to become more and more like them.

     Beyond the circumstances, behind the pain, lies the beauty of Christ. The light shines through the years as their focus moves to a place above and to a life beyond.

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2 (NKJF)

     Sharing Christ becomes as natural to them as breathing. Walking side-by-side with Him over the years has given them His comfort, His compassion, His compass. They understand. They have been where we are. The grieving widower finds and shares hope beyond the grave. The legally blind woman in the wheelchair meets everyone with a smile. The stroke survivor volunteers at the hospital with her testimony. The faith-filled believer on his death bed speaks of the joy to come.

     The power of the risen Lord lives. His glory increases and we witness it in them.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18

     These lives of the older men and women of faith are not easy. Pain is their constant companion. Friendships, hearing and sight diminish and fail and are gone. Some wonder why God hasn’t taken them home. But we know why. We need them.

     Let the older man of faith, with the twinkle in his eye, share a joke with you. Sit next to an older woman in Bible study or in the pew a few rows up. Wisdom awaits and love abides. The grace of God flows in their presence. Somehow, over time, the Holy Spirit within them allows them to have a perpetual focus on Jesus.

     A knowledge of what is to come, an increasing anticipation of heaven, an excitement beyond measure at the thought of seeing Jesus face-to-face keeps them filled with joy. And that joy is contagious.

     This joy is rare, even in the body of believers. The freedom found in a life-long believer counts all of life as nothing to be compared with the life to come. An eternal perspective recognizes the brief span of our years, flowing as a wisp or a vapor. One moment here, the next gone.

     Forever awaits. The body is temporary, the spirit, eternal. Death holds no fear for them, for us. Our eternal eyes can shine with light. Our eternal souls are seated in heaven with Jesus. Our names written in the Lamb’s book of life. Learn from them. Live with them. Love them. Don’t fear aging as the world does. Christ will continue his work in us.

Father,

Let us learn and gain wisdom through the elders in our lives. Let us become them as we continue to age and know more deeply. Your love and eternity await! We praise You!

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Above and Beyond

 

     The grace of Jesus, the sacrificial gift of salvation, the freedom to live in mercy and peace, allows us to grow in Godly wisdom and complete joy. Is it really possible? It is. Witness it in the aged believers. Follow their gaze to things above, walk with them beside the still waters, giving their daily burdens to the one able to carry them, as they find contentment. Fix your eyes with them on the eternal. Fix your eternal eyes on things above.

Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

     Our culture works to avoid the aging process. Chairs are pushed back from the table as the subject of death is broached. Keep it at bay! Don’t bring it up! Party ‘til you drop! Primping hair, plunging necklines, plumping lips, and pumping iron give the false impression of holding back the hands of time. The façade does not last..

     God does not look at the outward man. God looks at the heart. He reminds us of what is pleasing to Him. He sees beauty in aging.

The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is their gray head. Proverbs 20:19

Rather, let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 1 Peter 3:4

     The eternal perspective of our God finds splendor in our gray hair. We are moving closer to living with Him forever. A gentle and quiet spirit found in an older woman is beautiful. It is precious in His sight. We witness the quiet confidence, the sweet countenance, the authentic compassion. Let us look forward to the days and years ahead!

Jesus,

You know the number of our days. Help us to appreciate each and every day no matter what we face. You will walk with us, lead us through and give us strength to face each day, until we are with You forever.

Amen

 

Just For Today

 

     What holds us together when everything within us and around us tells us we should be falling apart? Just for today hang onto God’s word for you. Each day can be a new beginning. He is enough. Just for today.

     His grace is sufficient for each moment. His power is released in our weakness.

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12

     When we fall away, His unending mercies are waiting to meet us each day.

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

     He is near to our broken hearts.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

     His deep peace, His perfect peace, His peace that passes understanding is ours

And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in You. Isaiah 26:3

     When our faith fails, He remains faithful.

If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself. 2 Timothy 2:13

     He protects us when we are scared.

The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you. He will never leave you, nor forsake you. Do not be afraid and do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32

     His love is yours until eternity.

Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ and to bring you to eternal life. Jude 1:21

     When hope seems unavailable, His hope remains forever and ever. Amen

May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father who loved us and by His grace gives us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Just for today.

Faith

 

     As Jesus begins to work in our hearts and souls and minds, we begin to change. The changes may be subtle, transforming us slowly over the years. Other changes are dramatic, life-transforming, in an instant of time. Jesus changes everything.

     After walking with Jesus for more than 30 years now, looking back over the decades, I have experienced what it means to follow Him. I still fight with the devil’s schemes as we all do. My anxiety raises its ugly head now and again. But my trust and faith in Him never waver. I return to His overwhelming grace each time I falter.

     All God desires from us is to trust Him, to remain faithful, to love Him and spend time with Him. As the Creator of all we see and experience, He really doesn’t need us to complete His purposes. But He chooses us to be a part of the plan, to help Him achieve His plans before He sets up the new heaven and the new earth.

     Trust Him with your life and experience His deep joy and peace. It is available and your faith pleases Him.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

Lord,

Increase our faith as we earnestly seek You. You will reward us with the deep and abiding joy of Your presence.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Your Story

 

     Each of us, as believers, have a story to tell. Some of us have known Jesus since childhood, others met Him as seniors. I love the fact that Jesus is ready whenever we are. He knows when our hearts are ready to receive Him.

     I have witnessed how He places the right people at the right time in our lives to share the Gospel. Sometimes we just don’t want to hear it from our own family or friends. A stranger could just “happen” to walk into a life with the good news.

     If you know Jesus, you have a testimony. No one else met Him in the same way, at the same time. All of our stories have meaning and purpose. Maybe God is preparing you to share the love of Christ, how He has changed you, how He has opened your heart, how He loves you. Your story is unique and maybe, just maybe, someone around you is ready to listen. Don’t be afraid. The Holy Spirit will give you the words.

At that time, you will be given what to say. Matthew 10:19b

For the Holy Spirit will teach you, at that time, what you should say. Luke 12:12

     Go and tell what God has done for you.

I will give thanks to You, Lord, with all my heart. I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1

Father,

We lean on You to help us speak of Your wonderful deeds. Lead us to those ready to hear Your voice and let the Holy Spirit give us just the right words.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Is Jesus Real?

 

     God is waiting for you. Have you noticed a yearning in your heart? Are you hesitant to come closer? See if Jesus is for real? Is it possible God truly sent His Son to earth over 2,000 years ago?

     The profound and transforming answers to those questions will change your life. The blessed assurance of finally and forever letting yourself go safely into His arms will set you free. Free from the penalty of sin, free to find peace for your soul, free to be loved forever, free to hope for the reality of eternity.

     How can you go wrong? Here is His voice speaking to your heart.

You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all of your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy-burdened and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

     Believe He will answer your seeking heart.

I sought the Lord and He answered me. He delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4

     All of us fall short of the glory of God. All of us. God gave us a way to Him through Jesus. Jesus Christ died for you and for me. He rose again and conquered death and He is alive! He has risen! No more death and all we have to do is believe. Here is the good news for those of you seeking an answer.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe resulting in righteousness and it with your mouth you confess resulting in salvation. Romans 10:9-10

     It is a pure gift of grace. None of us deserve it. None of us can attain it without the one and only Son, sent from the Father.

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1;14

Lord,

There are no words that can express the thanksgiving we have in our hearts for Jesus. Please open more hearts to His truth, to His Gospel, to His grace.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Blessed Are We!

 

     To close our two weeks of blessedness, here are several verses to place in your hearts and minds as we continue to trust in our God, through Jesus.

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him. Psalm 34:8

Lord almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in You. Psalm 84:12

Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in His commands. Psalm 112:1

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. Jeremiah 17:7

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3

     Let’s continue to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” We will be blessed as we place our trust in Him above all that we see, touch, hear, taste and smell. The spiritual blessings are real and valuable and will last forever.  Blessed are we!

Lord,

Thank You for the Word. It reminds us of the true treasures we have in You. We are blessed as we praise You, as we pray to You, as we study You and Your ways, as we place our confidence and our trust in You above all else. We love You with all of our might, with all of our strength, with all of our hearts.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Do Not Grow Weary

 

     We are blessed. The blessings of God come through our meekness, our ability to show mercy, as we trust God with our lives. The blessings, the most valuable lessons, come from within. Keeping hope alive, with Christ, through any circumstances, is possible.

     And our greatest blessings are returned to us many times over as we bless others in His name.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

And whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

As for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary in doing good. 2 Thessalonians 3:13  

     We should count our earthly blessings throughout our lives; including our physical comforts, our loved ones, a sunny day, each birthday, the creation surrounding us and so much more. But the abundant blessings through Christ run deeper. They give us joy, peace, faith and hope. Our souls can be at rest when we give Him our lives.

     Let’s thank Him for our supreme blessedness today and ask Him to fill us with the deep assurance of a life with Him, the life that doesn’t end. Do not grow weary in doing good. Your reward in heaven awaits. We are richly blessed.

Amen

 

Shine The Light!

 

     As we have seen over the past week, Jesus blesses us in ways that are foreign to the world. We are blessed in our humility, as we walk in peace, in the righteousness of Christ, as we are persecuted and as we show mercy. Jesus continues to teach us in Matthew 5 as He calls us to continue as vessels of light.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14=16

     We are the light of the world? Only because of the Holy Spirit within us, can we share God’s light. And the purpose of sharing the light is to glorify God! What a privilege! What a gift! What an opportunity! Shine the light.

Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!

Father,

We pray for new ways to glorify You this year. We stand in awe of the ways in which You work. To think you call us, “the light of the world.” Help us to keep evil at bay in these dark times. The light shines brightest in the dark.

Amen

Blessed Are The Peacemakers

 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9

     In the day in which we live, this particular beatitude may be one of the most difficult to live out. Living as a peacemaker in a world filled with hate and division, with violence and unrest, would appear to be impossible. Christians will continue to be persecuted and misunderstood. Jesus, too, was hated and persecuted. Jesus has given us this time of grace, but one day, God’s wrath will be poured out against evil as He overcomes all and restores the new heaven and earth. Count on Him.

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written, “It is Mine to avenge. I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:19

     But as much as we are able, in meekness and love, we are to be all about peace. Sharing the good news, living with peace in our souls in the midst of anger and mistrust. Blessed are we.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, be at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18

     “If it is possible…as far as it depends on you…” Peace won’t always be possible and we need to stand firm on our faith and not compromise with the world. Jesus understands and He will guide our words and our steps as we follow in His peace. Blessed are we.

Jesus,

Your peace is greater than the world around us. Your peace is from within. Help us to be peacemakers, as much as we can, in the ways you show us.

Amen

 

 

Blessed Are The Merciful

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7

     God promises us the gift of His mercy as we show mercy to others. Mercy is giving others the benefit of the doubt, of believing the best in others, of showing compassion and kindness, of feeling another’s sorrow, often giving to others when we believe they really don’t deserve it.  

     God has shown us His great mercy. We fail again and again, but His mercy never ends. It is new every morning. Great is His faithfulness.

Through the Lord’s mercies, we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

     The world today appears to revolve around hate and anger, eager to dredge up the faults of others and show them to the world. Let’s walk in kindness, showing mercy, encouraging others, believing the best. And blessed are we.

Jesus,

Give us Your unending mercy each day. Thank You for Your perpetual forgiveness. Give us the ability to show mercy to others. Help us to see others with the same mercy and compassion You have shown us.

Amen

Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6

     Jesus is the bread and water of the spirit. When we long to be more like Him, to be filled with His righteousness, He develops in us a hunger and a thirst for His wisdom, for His knowledge, for His Word, for His righteousness. Do you have a hunger for truth? Do you long to be completely, spiritually filled?

Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. John 7:38

     This promise is for you. You will be blessed. You will be filled. You will have the righteousness of Christ.

It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30

Father,

Fill us with the living bread and water of life and fill us up with Your holiness and righteousness in this crazy world. We hunger and thirst for more and more of Your truth and light.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4

     The holy arms of Jesus will wrap themselves around us when we mourn. Death and sorrow will find us throughout our lives. His comfort is beyond this earth. His comfort is supernatural, raising us above our human struggles with grief. We can’t do it on our own.

     Our earthly minds and bodies find it difficult to manage a deep loss. What will we do? How will we take our next step? How do we cope? What will life look like without her/him? Jesus wept for His good friend. He went through deep agony. He understands our earthly sorrow, and He knows the way through.

     Count on Him. Lean on Him. He will ease our burdens with His unconditional love.

Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

     Rest from our burdens. Rest from our weariness. Rest for our souls. Hope in the depths of darkness. He is close. Blessed are we.

Lord,

We praise You for the ways You comfort us and ease the burdens of life. They are heaven-sent and we look to You. Comfort those in grief today.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Blessed Are We

    Some of the words of Jesus in His sermon on the mount, are called, “The Beatitudes,” meaning, “happy”, “rich”, or “blessed.”  These verses are filled with reminders of our blessings. The blessings from our Lord will not mirror society. The blessings of God turn the world upside down and inside out. We are blessed.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God. Matthew 5:3

     The word, “poor,” conjures up a vision of lack, not enough, but in essence, Jesus teaches us here to be humble, to be poor in spirit, to look to Him first.

     Again, in verse 5, God promises to bless the meek, (not powerless), but rather the humble in spirit. We find our power in Him, our Most-High God.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

     Notice in verse 3, ours is the kingdom of heaven and in verse 5, we will inherit the earth. Earthly and heavenly blessings! And He will lift us up.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10

     Become humble (poor in spirit), meek in service and He will lift you up and fill you up.

Lord,

The poor in spirit are blessed, as we humble ourselves before You. Fill us today with the blessings of the Holy Spirit and lift us up.

In Jesus name,

Amen