Freedom

 

     Victorious in Christ. Victorious over death. Heaven-bound. Immortal bodies. No more pain. No more tears. It all awaits us.

For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it who overcomes the world? Only the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:4-5

     When we lose our fear of death, we can live in freedom. Each day on earth is a blessing. Every breath to be savored and treasured. We are overcomers in Christ! Force the negative, stress-filled thoughts out of your mind one moment at a time. Dwell on the beauty of the day, the loved ones in your life, the little things that matter. Don’t let those annoying negative stresses take over your thoughts. Take the one good thing and magnify it. Most of our worries may never come to pass. Right now, this very moment, savor life.

     And for those of us in grief? Each day will bring us closer and closer to home and reunion. Our loved ones in heaven want us to be blessed right now.

Jesus,

Because of You we are overcomers. We thank You for the special moments, the loved ones, the beauty of creation, the food on our table and the breath of life.

Amen

 

Victory

 

     Our lives encounter trials and troubles. Jesus has overcome them all. I studied a book called “The Invisible War” with some dear friends and one of the author’s points was, “we don’t fight FOR victory. We fight FROM victory.”

     Jesus said on the cross, “It is finished.” (John 19:30) Sins are forgiven once and for all. God sees us, as believers, through Christ’s blood. We are washed clean and we are already seated in heaven. Even death has no hold on us.

     Does this change our perspective on our daily lives? I hope so. We need not fear death. We have an all-powerful God on our side. He wants to use us for the short time we have here. And that is life’s best. To shine with and for God’s glory. To please Him and not man.

     Paul said it this way,

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10    

     Easier said than done. We do want to please people, but God must come first. Let’s try to give Him the glory in our lives. Represent Him well. Your faith pleases Him.

Dear Father in heaven,

The victory over death has been won. Death has no hold on us. Our lives are enriched because of Your forgiveness and Your love. We are victorious in this life and the next.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Overcomers

 

     God’s purpose for our lives is filled with abundant joy and peace.  Satan loves nothing better than stealing our peace and joy and replacing them with fear, doubt, guilt, anger and jealousy. What keeps you from believing God and allowing His joy and peace to reign?

     When we feel anxious, there are several Scripture verses to soothe us. When we fear, God promises He will never leave us. When we are discouraged, He tells us  He will lift us up. His words to us encourage, comfort and bring hope. He knows the world is filled with troubles and trials, but don’t fret.

“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:13

     Believe God and His promises today. Let Him fill you with His deep peace and joy, understanding that nothing can ever separate you from Him. Nothing Not ever. His promises are eternal.

Father,

Forgive us for losing our trust in You and for not believing Your word filled with promises. Give us peace and joy in our hearts. Grow within us the good fruit of Your love.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Heavenly Hope

 

     These earthly bodies we live in are temporary. Paul refers to our bodies as “tents.”  Our soul and spirit have been redeemed through the death and resurrection of Jesus. We are seated in heaven forever. Our immortal bodies will one day replace these temporary tents.

For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Corinthians 5:

So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption. It is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor. It is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness. It is raised in power. It is sown a natural body. It is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is a spiritual body. 1 Corinthians 15:12-14

So when this corruptible has put on incorruption and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

     Death has no hold on us. Our immortality awaits! At the top of my list of favorite Scriptures verses, you will find three verses in 2 Corinthians, the 4^th chapter. These verses remind me to keep my mind and my eyes fixed on God above and on our eternal destiny. Knowing our true home awaits, our forever home, gives us peace and hope. Inwardly we are growing in glory day by day, even as our bodies, our temporary tents, wear out.

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 and what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

     Verses of such hope!  Our “light and momentary troubles,” certainly don’t feel light and momentary, do they? But as we fix our eyes on eternity, we understand our glorious arrival will be worth it all. Keep your eyes and minds on things above. Our home awaits!

Father,

Your hope and promise of our heavenly home will give us strength to live out our lives for You. Keep us focused on our purpose in these temporary tents. We await Your coming. Your footsteps draw ever near.

In Jesus name,

amen

Now and Forevermore

 

     God’s heart is with you in your suffering. My heart aches for so many right now, those grieving a loss, for those going through treatment for cancer, for those suffering chronic pain and disability. My prayer list is long and I consider it an honor and a privilege to pray. God hears our prayers. He sees our hearts.

     We don’t always find answers, but we know the one who holds eternity in His hands. We know the Creator of the heavens and the earth. He sent us Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith, the Alpha and the Omega. Can we trust Him with all of it? We can, and as we do, we find peace.

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

     God sees your pain. He will protect you, and walk with you,  and watch over you, now and forever.

The Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore. Psalm 121:8

     His promises and His purposes remain for all of us. His answers are eternal and so are we.

I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come I say, “My purpose will stand and I will do all that I please.” Isaiah 46:10.

     God is speaking to all of us in need. His heart is there now and forever.

Lord,

The tragedies and trials of this life cannot be explained in our humanity. But we trust You with our lives. Bring Your hope and peace, Your comfort and Your strength.

Amen

The Tapestries of Our Lives

 

     Allowing God to keep us content at every season of life, allowing Him to give us strength in our weaknesses, does not come naturally to us. What about trusting Him with our very lives? With the lives of our loved ones? I am struggling with this one right now. Some family members lost their 25-year-old daughter suddenly. She was taken to the hospital and two days later, they had to make the decision to let her go.

     How do we handle the grief? How do we find answers? I do know this. To God a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day. Think about a beautiful tapestry. On the back side all we see is a mess of threads, of knots, with no rhyme nor reason to it. But, on the flip side, we find a magnificent work of art.

     Our lives, in their entirety, won’t make sense until we reach heaven.  God uses our lives in ways, in shapes, in patterns we cannot imagine and often, don’t recognize. It will all be for His purposes. The life of this beautiful girl mattered to God. Her life made an impact on so many. We won’t have the answers to the brevity of her days. It simply does not make sense through our earthly eyes.

     But in the eternal eyes of our God, He knows.  Our days are short here on this earth. Compassion, kindness, and the love of Christ are meant to be shared, even through these dark moments with no answers.

In all this, you greatly rejoice. Though now, for a little while, you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends. With the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day. 2 Peter 3:8

     In the first verse above notice the phrase, “for a little while.” Our lives matter to God. But we are here for just a little while. Soon, very soon, all will make sense in the beautiful tapestries of our lives.

Father,

Keep us comforted and at peace in our grief. Give us the hope of heaven, the coming home, the final understanding of it all. Bless my family members in their deep heartache.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Our Thorns

 

     As we savor our moments and appreciate where we are in life, we recognize and remember the tough times we had or will experience in this crazy life. Each stage has its ups and downs, its sorrows and joys, and times of living with a constant, “thorn in our side.”

     Our babies get sick, suffer ear infections. There are hospital stays. Our adolescence is filled with awkwardness, with bullies, with emotional roller-coasters. There are dissolved relationships, loss of jobs, death of loved ones. You have your list of heartaches and so do I.

     I live with diminished eyesight on a daily basis, due to an eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa. God has been faithful and worked in wonderful ways using this for His glory. Several friends live in constant, chronic pain, others with difficult relationships and stress, still others in treatment for cancer. Did you know the apostle Paul lived with a “thorn in his side?”

     Three times he prayed for this thorn to be removed. Each time his request was denied. Theologians have grappled with this thorn. Was it living with persecution, with a chronic health issue? I believe the answer was purposefully left out, so each of us could identify with him.

     My personal belief is that he lived with diminished eyesight like me. There are two verses that speak to me in this belief. A group of friends in Galatia have nursed Paul through an illness. He has preached the Gospel to them. As he warns them about being led astray, he remembers.

Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify, that if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. Galatians 4:15

     Paul also makes mention of his large handwriting. (Like mine!)

See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! Galatians 6:11

     There are conflicting views on the verse above. I choose to go with the theory that Paul’s eyesight caused him to print in large letters. Can you relate to living with a “thorn in your side?” God can use all of our thorns, our suffering, our daily struggles to rely on His strength, to develop compassion, to teach and to encourage. How is he using you? Listen to Paul’s answer as his third prayer for healing is denied.

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 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 12:8-9

     May God’s power rest on you today, as you struggle with any weakness or thorn. May His grace be sufficient for you right now.

Lord,

There are no words to thank You for the blessings you bring even through our darkest moments, our deepest struggles, our thorns, our tough times. Your grace is always enough.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Right Here, Right Now

 

     Our precious, smart, funny three-year-old grandson, said, “I like being three!”  I wondered if I liked being sixty five?  The answer became complicated. Most days I still feel young in spirit, aging in body and blessed to be where I am. Currently. I am trying to live in the moment. My tendencies and personality often lead to worry, sleeplessness, and fretfulness.

     How about you? Are you content with where you are at this moment? One of the wisest, most loyal, honest and responsible men I have ever met, was my father-in-law, Bert. Both of my parents died way too young and I was fortunate to have another mom and dad in my in-laws. Bert remained healthy and active, still driving and taking care of his home into his 90’s. Over the last few years of his life, he would add ½ years to his age. If we would mention he was 94 or 95, he would correct us at the six-month mark and say, “95 ½.” He was as proud of his age as our grandson.

    Whatever your age, whatever season of life in which you find yourself, appreciate it today. Only God knows the number of our days. You are here for a season. You are here at this time. Your life, short or long, has meaning and purpose. “I like being 65 ½.” Try it.    

     Wherever you find yourself today, whatever age you are experiencing at this moment, you are God’s precious miracle. He sees your life. He knows you. He has made you, wonderful you!

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are Your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Psalm 139:16-17

Father,

Give us the wisdom to appreciate our days, to savor the moments, to like where we are, today, right now, precious in Your sight.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Love Remains

 

     The veil of separation was lifted when Jesus died for our sins. We have the glory of God available and our high priest awaits us in heaven. We can go straight to the throne room with no hesitation. His glory can grow in us day by day. But His full glory will not be seen until we get to heaven. Read Paul’s words on this:

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror, then we will see face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

     Until then, what matters? What is our purpose? How do we live? Everything around us is temporary, but we want answers. We want a place, a date, a reason, a goal, a plan, a time, a vision. We ask who, what, where when and why? Paul sums up this beautiful love chapter of the first book of Corinthians the 13^th chapter with these words:

And now these three remain; faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

     Our hope of salvation stays with us, guarding us forever. We can stand firmly on our faith in Christ no matter the circumstances. We don’t know the number of our days on earth, but we do know the answer to forever. When we get there in full glory and we see fully face-to-face, we won’t need hope. Our hopes will be realized. We will not need faith. He will be standing right in front of us, holding out His hand to welcome us home. 

     Finally, what will remain? Love will arrive with us; the love we shared on earth for Him. When all is said and done it’s about love.

Dear Jesus,

You represent our hope and faith, but most of all You are love. You are the answer to all of our questions, the reason for it all, when all is said and done.

Amen

Ever-increasing Glory

 

     Man cannot look upon the full glory of God and live. Moses had to wear a veil over his face after his close encounter with God on Mount Sinai We talked about the mammoth veil covering the Holy of Holies where the presence of God was held in Israel’s temple. That veil was torn from top to bottom as Jesus died on the cross.

     Our separation from God was removed by the blood of Christ as He took our sin upon Himself on the cross. The Lamb of God, the King of Kings, the word of God  lived among us. (John 1) We picture Jesus as He was when he lived on earth for those 33 years. He now sits at the right hand of the Father in full glory. One day we will see Him face to face as Messiah, the Christ.

     In the meantime, the veil has been removed!  Jesus now resides in a new temple, in our hearts, the Holy Spirit within us! Imagine that. Here are more New Testament verses explaining the significance of the veil.

Even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory are being transformed into His image with every-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.  2 Corinthians 3:15-18

     I simply love these verses. Our hearts are no longer veiled. We know the truth of Jesus and His Holy Spirit will continually change us into the image of Christ!.We will be filled with ever-increasing glory as He transforms us day by day. I believe that. As we continue to read the word of God, pray to the one now sitting in glory and listen to the guiding of the Holy Spirit.

     Look up with that unveiled face today and radiate with the glory of God!

Dear Jesus,

We thank you for removing the veil from our hearts. We won’t see Your full glory until we are in heaven, but each day fill us a little bit more with Your light.

Amen

Unveiled

 

     The Jewish temple was built in accordance to God’s very specific instructions. The Holy of Holies was the inner sanctum of the temple. This Holy Place contained the presence of God and only the high priest could enter it once a year on the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur. (Exodus 30, Hebrews 9) A veil covered the entrance to the Holy of Holies.

     This particular veil (or curtain) was no ordinary veil. It measured around 60 feet high and was at least 4 inches thick! It was beautifully woven and embroidered in twisted fine linen, made with purple, blue and scarlet material. This veil signified the separation between God and man. It signified sin.

     Now picture this mammoth veil and try to imagine what happened as Jesus died on the cross:

And when Jesus had cried out again, in a loud voice, He gave up His spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom… Matthew 27:50-51a

     This was the final atonement for sin. There was now no need for the veil! The separation between God and man was paid for, once and for all, by God Himself.  Solomon’s temple and Herod’s temple have both been destroyed, both long gone.

The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.  Acts 17;24

     I love seeing the promise of Christ throughout the Old Testament. He fulfilled so many Scriptures with His birth, His death and His resurrection. Many more are to come with His second coming and the new heaven and earth. The following beautiful Scriptures from the book of Hebrews will tie this all together. Now we can go boldly to the throne of God. Jesus opened that veil of separation for all time and turned the outward temple of God into the temple within our hearts.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:19-21

Dear Father,

How do we thank You, the God of creation, for removing the veil of separation once and for all? We can come boldly to the throne because of Jesus, our High Priest. Let us draw near to Him with cleansed hearts.

In Jesus Name

Amen

God's Radiance

 

     Our encounters with God can be life-changing. God sees our potential and our purpose long before we do. Let’s revisit Moses and talk more about his mountain-top experience with the living God. Remember, Moses has been in the desert for 40 years after running from Egypt.  God calls him when he is 80 years old!

     Feeling old, or weak or just plain ordinary? Join the club of Biblical heroes. God chose David, the youngest and weakest in the family to be king. He called Gideon to battle when he was in hiding. God called him a “valiant warrior.” He calls us, the weak and the ordinary to do extraordinary things with His strength and glory.

     After Moses asked God to see His glory and God explained he would not live through it, God placed Moses in a crevasse in the rocks, placed His hand over him and allowed His glorious presence to pass alongside. Listen to what happened:

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant and they were afraid to come near him.  Exodus 34:29-30

     Moses had to wear a veil over his face. His countenance was just too bright for the people. We will talk more about the significance of the veil and the glory of God this week.  What will we look like, what will we act like, after spending time in the presence of God? The word “radiant” means “emitting rays of light.”

     When we allow His presence to pass by, when we hear His voice calling us to action, He can and will do miraculous works through and in us. Don’t be surprised if He calls you at a time when you least expect it, at an age where you think it’s too early or too late, at a time when you want to hide from the world, at a time when you have almost given up. Is He calling you right now? Come into God’s presence and let your countenance be lit with the radiance of His glory.

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for sharing the stories of your children. You often call us at our weakest moments. You fill us with light. Let us radiate with the Son.

Amen

God's Glory

 

Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.  Isaiah 60:1

     The glory of the Lord is available to each one of us as we experience the presence of Christ. This week we will travel together back to Israel’s journey through the wilderness as they made their way to the Promised Land. Moses was called to meet with God, in the presence of His glory.

     That presence of God traveled with this large group of Israelites as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. When Moses asked to see the glory of God, God told him, “You cannot see my face; for no man shall see Me and live.” (see Exoduss 33)

     The presence of the Lord had to be hidden. Today, after the death and resurrection of Jesus, the glory of the Lord has been delivered right into our hearts.  We are blessed to be living in this time of grace and light. The Hebrew word, “Shekinah” means the “dwelling or presence of God.”

     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

Dear Jesus,

Your light and glory lives and dwells among us now in grace and truth. You are the glory of God living within us. Someday we will see You in full glory as we finally meet you face to face and live forever. May Your glory rise up in our hearts.

Amen

Along for the Journey

 

     While watching a funny movie, our smiles were interrupted by a commercial for St. Jude Children’s Hospital and the heartbreaking images of children with cancer and disabilities. Sitting and chatting with good friends, reminiscing with laughter led to somber expressions and teary eyes when the conversation took a turn at the death of the young daughter of a friend.

     The moments and memories of life can switch from joy-filled to traumatic in the blink of an eye. And without Jesus, how do we get through? His love, His compassion, His understanding, His strength, and His willingness to share our burdens makes the toughest moments bearable.

So do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

     Let your life be filled with images of our Lord. Praise him from the mountaintop and praise Him from the deepest valley. Fill up in His presence when life gets too tough. During the moments you don’t understand, He will be with you and He smiles in the moments of pure joy. Take in every moment. This life can change in an instant. But He is ready and able to see you through.

Lord,

Life without you is unmanageable and at times, terrifying. The answers will not all be given until one day in eternity we see all the pieces of the puzzle. For now, we take each step trusting You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Gratitude in the Unknown

 

     Today we take our upside down, last is first, less is more, honor in humility, sacrifice in praise, worth in weakness, believer’s world into the topic of gratitude. Have you read, Footprints in the Sand? Looking back I recognize those times when Jesus carried me even without me recognizing His presence.  I am still learning, but even during troubled times, I thank Him. When there are no answers, I thank Him for working. When things look hopeless, I know He will bring hope.

     My emotions and my need for control try to take over. I want to make it better, fix the problem, lash out at someone or something. The learning will never end until we arrive in heaven. Thank Him when the world is closing in. Believe in His timing when your patience is wearing thin. Thank Him when the circumstances seem impossible to meet. Practice gratitude. God’s grace is enough to get through the day, the hour, minute-by-minute.

     Can we learn to stop in the midst of the day to thank God for our ordinary tasks and duties as we perform them one more time? Can we take a moment away from the seemingly endless urgent details to savor our most valuable God? Can we thank Him for working when we don’t see His hand?

     I thank God for each one of you today, no matter where you are in your journey with Jesus. He hears you. He will carry you. Give Him all of your cares with deep thanksgiving.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and yur minds in Christ Jesus, Philippians 4:6-7

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Chrisst Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Dear Jesus,

We find gratitude in our hearts today for Your love, for Your mighty hand at work, for Your grace and mercy, for our loved ones and our homes, for our food and for our very lives. Thank you for the breath of life today, and we thank You for what You will do tomorrow. We wait in expectation and hope.

Amen

 

Humble Hearts

 

     The first time I really sought out God, I was on my knees. It was a time of deep grief, confounding disbelief and overwhelming doubt. I fell to my knees, because I had nowhere else to go. When I hear of a loss, or a prayer request, a tragedy, or of someone’s suffering, my first prayer, in addition to requests for healing or comfort or peace is to pray for the person to find Jesus.

     Going to our knees is not always a choice for us. It may be the only place left to go. Is God there? Is He real? For me, after all of these years, it is the place I choose to go, with a grateful heart. Humility comes by recognizing God for who He is and recognizing how much we need Him.

     When we fall or stumble, our merciful God has an answer.

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

      With God’s help, we take the focus off of ourselves and put our eyes on Him and on others. That is all He asks of us. If is our purpose. It is our call. Serving God and serving others. Everything is upside down in God’s world. First is last. The least is the greatest.

Then He said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes Me and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the one who sent Me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” Luke 9:48

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.  Romans 12:10

    Impossible on our own? Yes. Possible with the one who lifts us up and sends us out? You betcha!

Dear Lord,

Give us humble hearts today. Take our focus off of ourselves and bring us to our knees before You.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Praise Through the Darkness

 

     It’s so difficult to praise God when we are suffering. When grief overwhelms. When we are going through treatment. When someone we love isn’t doing well. The list goes on. But even in the darkness, praise brings us to a place beyond anything on earth. It brings us to heaven, where we find hope. God explains in His word, the sacrifice of praise.

 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that openly confess His name.  Hebrews 13:15

     Can we praise Him through the darkness? King David did.

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5

     Somehow, over time, God replaces our despair as we continually look to Him.

Provide for those who grieve in Zion, to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.  Isaiah 61:3

     The verse above is filled with hope. God fills us on the inside. He gives us a crown of beauty instead of ashes, joy in place of mourning, and our praise replaces our spirits of despair. What beautiful promise these words hold for us!

Father,

You are in heaven waiting for us to arrive home. Fill our spirits with joy, beauty and praise. We trust You with it all.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Look Up With Praise

 

     Jesus turns the world upside down. He turns us upside down, shakes a few things loose, sets us back up, and after the dizziness subsides, we look around and nothing is the same. This week allow God to show you a new perspective, a topsy=turvy, inside-out and upside-down beginning. Let’s begin with praise.

     Praise to begin and end your day:

They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord. They were to do the same in the evening. 2 Chronicles 23:30

     Praise for all He has created:

All the earth bows down to You. They sing praise to You, they sing the praises of Your name. Psalm 66:4

     Praise with hope:

As for me, I will always have hope. I will praise You more and more.  Psalm 71:14

     Praise to the next generation:

Then we Your people, the sheep of Your pasture, will praise You forever from generation to generation we will proclaim Your praise.  Psalm 79:13

          Praise for His Word:

May my lips overflow with praise, for You teach me Your decrees. Psalm 119:171

     Praise for your life:

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful. I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

     Praise for who He is:

Praise him for His acts of power, praise Him for His surpassing greatness. Psalm 150:2

     Praise for His love:

Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and His love endures forever.  Psalm 106:1

Dear Father in Heaven,

We thank you for the gift of praise. Turn our lives around to seek You above all else.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Nothing Can Separate Us

 

     God’s peace and strength can be counted on through the most difficult of times. We see this through the Bible over and over again. David praises God as he sits surrounded by his enemies and after the death of his son. Job reminds himself that his Redeemer lives as he suffers the loss of his loved ones, his wealth and his health. Jeremiah trusts and praises God in his loneliness and persecution. So often, they appreciate God in the creation around them.

     Let’s remember to soak in God’s love in the world around us. It was created for you and me! Stop to take in the sights and sounds around you. Take in the beauty of a lake or the ocean. Smell the fresh air this spring, after a cleansing rain. Raise your face to the warmth of the sun and praise your God. Every breath of life is precious. And our Redeemer lives. Even death won’t take us out of His grasp.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Jesus,

Give us Your love and peace as we witness the miraculous and the mundane surrounding us. Each moment is a gift. Give us Your strength to get through the most-dire circumstances with the understanding that nothing in all creation can separate us from You. Nothing, ever.

Amen

 

Hope and a Future

 

     The writers of the Old Testament, the prophets of old and the disciples faced great persecution. Many were killed for their witness. Jeremiah was no exception to the ridicule and persecution. He was called by God at a very young age. In fact, he told God he was too young to speak. But God used him in a mighty way.

     As usual, Israel did not listen to the prophetic word. Jeremiah never gave up. And, as was true in Job’s story, Jeremiah also continues to praise God through his own deep suffering and fear.

“He made the earth by His power; He founded the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding. When He thunders the waters in the heavens roar; He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from His storehouses.  Jeremiah 51:15-16

    Even in Israel’s disobedience, Jeremiah offers hope. He offers hope to you and me in these familiar words. Let Jesus bring hope to your heart today. His creation speaks to us from the heavens above. One day all of our hopes will be realized forever.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Lord,

Thank You for Your words of hope. The prophets speak to us over the ages of Your hope and Your wisdom, Your understanding and Your sovereignty, of Your mighty ways beyond our comprehension. We place our future in Your hands. You alone know the number of our days.

In Jesus name,

Amen

He Scatters His Lightning

 

     As we marvel at God’s creation, as we stare into the endless sky or witness the vast expanse of the ocean or the majesty of a mighty oak, we come to a place of humility and reverence. How gracious and great is our God!.

How great is God-beyond our understanding! The number of His years is past finding out. He draws up the drops of water, which distill as rain in the streams. The clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind. Who can understand how He spreads out the clouds, how He thunders from His pavilion? See how He scatters His lightning around Him bathing the depths of the sea. Job 36:26-30

     Job speaks of the wonders of God even though he suffered as much or more than anyone. He lost his wealth, his home, his children and his health. His friends offered no help, other than to ask what he had done to deserve it all. Job never lost faith in his God. He understood the magnitude of this mighty God that rose above and beyond all of earth’s suffering. You can hear the agony in Job’s words in Job 19 as he scolds his friends and lists all he has suffered. And yet He trusts. At the end of his long list of trials, He praises.

I know that my redeemer lives and that in the end He will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God. I myself will see Him with my own eyes-I and not another. How my heart yearns within me! Job 19:25-27

Lord,

As we witness Your majesty in the skies, the seas and all of Your creation, we are reminded of Your eternal ways. Help us to rise above our suffering and trust the Almighty God of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Our hearts yearn, along with Job, to see You. Our redeemer lives!

In Jesus name,

Amen

God Set Them in the Vault of the Sky

 

And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve to mark sacred times, and days and years, and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. God made two great lights-the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.  God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth to govern the day and the night and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:14-18

     God set them in the vault of the sky. Sounds so simple doesn’t it? We set the table. God sets the moon, sun and stars in the sky. Did you know the Bible called the earth a sphere long before man confirmed its roundness? (Isaiah 40:22) The Bible also tells us that the earth hangs in the sky. (Job 26:7) Amazing! As science, history and archeology continue to unearth their findings, the Bible stands true.

     And God saw that it was good as He set the moon and the sun and the stars to govern our seasons, our days and our nights. The full moon last week was breathtaking, a high-beamed spotlight shining for all to see. I am grateful. How about you? Our miraculous God not only numbers the hairs on our heads (Luke 12:7) He also numbers and names the stars, the infinite number of stars. (Psalm 147:4) Our eternal, infinite, miracle-working, Creator God deserves our unending praise.

Father,

How wondrous are Your ways! We sit in awe and reverence of You and all You give us. Remind us to witness Your glory today as we watch the day turn to night, as we gaze at the stars You have named and numbered, as we sit on the globe hanging in the sky.

In Jesus name,

Amen