Open Our Hearts

 

     Jesus offers us eternity. It is a free gift, ours for the taking. Whether we understand it or not, something will be missing from our lives until we accept Jesus. He satisfies our spiritual hunger and thirst. His Spirit opens our eyes to see the truth. He opens our ears to hear and understand His word. And best of all, He turns our hearts of stone into hearts of flesh.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26

     Are you praying for someone to accept Jesus? Never give up on that prayer. God’s timing is perfect. He knows the precise moment our stony hearts will be ready to hear His word of grace. He will send the right person, at the right moment, in the best setting. In the meantime, pray.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Jesus,

You do not want to lose one soul. Open the eyes of the hearts of those we love. We will continue to pray for them.

Amen

Light Overcomes Darkness

 

     Jesus calls YOU the “light of the world.” (Matthew 5) His word brings radiance to our eyes. Plug yourself into the Holy Spirit’s light and begin to shine wherever you go. You know the Author and Finisher of life, the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Prince of Peace.

     You know Him, the one born to a virgin, the Son of God who walked the earth, the perfect man who suffered your pain, and rose again. You know Jesus. God with us. Our Father, our friend, our advocate, our comforter, our teacher, our purpose. You have the light of Christ. Amazing God. Amazing gift. Amazing Gospel. Amazing grace.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

     The darkness has lost its power.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5

Jesus,

We have the light of life because of You. You give us new life. Thank You for saving us and giving us the opportunity to share You with others. Shine favor on and through us throughout the years to come. We love You.

Amen

The Light of the Eyes

 

     The Bible confirms that our eyes are the lamp of the body. Through someone’s eyes, we can see into their soul. We witness the glistening tears of joy and sadness, the twinkle of laughter, the wink of shared connections, and the lifeless look of depression. You can tell so much by the gaze of another, in love or anger, in surprise or confusion.

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy your body will be full of light. Matthew 6:22

     What gives Christians that gleam in their eye, the infused joy in their spirits? I know for a fact, it is their love for and knowledge of God’s word.

The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.  Psalm 19:8

     Let the good news of Jesus fill your hearts with joy today and shine the light of Him from the tips of your toes to the light shining through your eyes and share the joy with others. Be his messenger of hope.

Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart and good news gives health to the bones.  Proverbs 15:30

Jesus,

Your word brings health and joy to our very being. Let our eyes shine with the brightness of Your love. Fill us with Your word which gives us the radiance of Your love. Let us be Your messengers today and every day.

Amen

Light in the Aged

 

     Bible teacher, Beth Moore, was speaking to a large group of women. She was pleasantly surprised to see the zeal and passion of the over-70 crowd. From her study, “Children of the Day” she writes, “The lines on their faces drawing rays around their eyes like a child’s illustration of the sun, causing them to gleam.”

     Don’t you just love that? To think that our wrinkles surround the gleaming light of our eyes. How precious to see life and light and zeal in the passionate hearts of older women and men of faith! They have gained so much wisdom through so much hardship and sacrifice. We should be sitting at their feet and asking questions.

“How did you get through the toughest time in your life?”

“How do you keep your purpose and passion for life alive?”

“Teach me about your faith.”

     Our culture does not tend to value our older generation. Watch the ones that shine with the love of Christ. I am 66 and when I grow up, I want to be just like them. I often rely on those older than me, praying I will learn to mentor, to hold onto faith through the tough times, to shine with Christ until the day I die. I gave this verse to a dear friend of mine. She passed away at 90 and was such an important part of my life for over twenty years.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:3

     Thank God for the Christian elders in our lives that do not wither and face away. Allow them to mentor you. You will gain much from their experience, their hard-fought battles and from their deep and abiding love for the Savior.

Dear Lord,

You have gifted the elderly believers among us with Your wisdom and grace. Help us to value them and seek out their wisdom. Their eyes shine with the gleaming light of Your Son in ways we don’t understand. We are grateful for their presence among us.

In Jesus Name

Amen

Light of Life

 

     In our, often, dark world, Jesus shines brightly. I love the words included in the following verse, “light of life.”

When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

     You have the light of life surrounding you each day when you have Jesus. Discouragement easily takes hold as we see the darkness increasing around us with violence, disease, with the threat of wars and the increasing frequency of earthquakes, storms and volcanic eruptions. The world needs Jesus. And we are the ones to spread the light. After Jesus calls Himself the light of the world, He tells us:

“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 the stand, and it gives light to everyone in the room. 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

     Don’t hide your love for Christ. Let it shine so everyone in the room can see it. Our goal is to glorify God. Let it be about Him today, and let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. You may be just the light someone needs right now. And God brings light into our lives in a variety of beautiful ways. Our grandson, Gavin, is four years old today and he brings sunshine every single day.

Jesus,

You are the light of the world and because we have You, we are able to shine the light before others. Show us how to do that today and we can glow with warmth in a dark world, shining like stars. (Philippians 2:15) Thank You, Jesus for the gift of grandchildren. We praise You for Gavin today. Continue to bless him and keep him in Your grace and love and strength. We love you, Gavin. Happy birthday!

Amen

God Is Light

 

     How did we live life without Jesus? We have fought disease, been hurt by friends, struggled through school, birthed babies, grieved over lost loved ones and cried buckets of tears. Jesus comes into our darkness and shines with His everlasting light.The tiniest glimmer of hope, or the first tinge of a smile or a burst of sunshine suddenly and surprisingly warms our heart.

     He is the light of the world. He is the lamp of heaven. He is light overcoming darkness. Ask Him to shine light into the deepest part of you. Anything you have hidden from yourself or others, anything that still tingles with hurt and sadness, anger and guilt. You know those old scabs that break open to wound you time and time again? Jesus will place a soothing balm over them until they heal completely.

This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5

     Invite the light of Christ to shine on you. He will remove the darkness of Satan’s work. Don’t let him take another day of joy from you. The light of Jesus has come to give you love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control which is the good fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22) Choose the gift of His light. In Him there is no darkness at all.

Jesus,

Let Your light shine on and through us. You humbled Yourself from full glory to live as a man, the perfect man, and you experienced and took on all of our darkness. Your suffering brought light to the world. Your glory is complete and it is available to us each day. We want to live in that light without any darkness at all.

Amen

More Jesus

 

     Jesus offers the abundant, Spirit-filled life. He offers grace upon grace and we move from glory to glory reflecting His image in ever-increasing ways, as He offers us more love. The “more” and “even more” of Jesus is available 24/7 to those who love Him.

He has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. 1 Timothy 1:9

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

     The reflection of Jesus offers us an inner peace, a deep joy in spite of circumstances, a patient heart and a generous soul. The people around us may need a dose of Jesus. Could it be you? Can you represent Him? The angriest, most critical, most arrogant, addicted, culturally different people you know need Him more than most. You may not think they deserve Jesus.

     Neither did we.

Dear Father,

You love us, each one of us, right where we are. Change us into Your image with the help of Your Spirit. The abundant life is filled with the giving and receiving of God’s blessings. It’s how life works in the realm of the Holy Spirit. We don’t get it, but we want it.

In Jesus name,

Amen

More and More Spirit

 

     Are you recognizing the potential to gain the “more” of Christ? How about the “much more” of His love and His gifts? Our gravity-bound, earth-dwelling selves know how to love. But the love of God is beyond the moon and the stars for us beyond earthly measure.

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”  Luke 11:13

     We give good gifts to our children and want the best for them. But “how much more” God gives to us! Did you notice what Jesus instructs us to do? That’s it. Ask for the Holy Spirit. This greatest of all gifts will be your teacher, your guide, your comforter, your intercessor. The very Spirit of God is within you. Sit with your heavenly father and ask for “more” of the Spirit and feel the power of the resurrected King.

Lord,

We ask for complete filling of Your Spirit, the same Spirit that dwells with You! You always have more to give and You tell us to ask. We pray to You this morning in Jesus name.

Amen

 

More and More Glory

     Moses came as close as any man to the presence of God in the Old Testament. God hid Moses in the crevice of a rock and placed His hand over the crevice as His glory moved past. The closeness of the glory of God, even hidden in the rocks, shone on Moses and he had to wear a veil in order for the Israelites to look at him!

     As Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the temple ripped in two. (Mark 15) This veil is believed to have been 30 feet long and 30 feet wide and as thick as a man’s hand.This enormously heavy veil enclosed the inner sanctum where the presence of God resided. It was called the “holy of holies.”  Only the high priest could enter the sanctuary on the holiest of days.

     Here we are, in the days of God’s grace, beyond the cross and the resurrection. See the “more” of Christ in today’s verses. Paul wrote these words through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, about 30 years after the resurrection.

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 ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.  2 Corinthians 3-15-18

     These are some life-transforming verses. Let them sink in. We are being transformed into Christ’s image with ever-increasing glory! From glory to glory, the more and even more of a relationship with Christ. In the book of James (Jesus’ half-brother) we see the word of God compared to a mirror. As we read and meditate and learn from it, we are transformed more and more into the image of Chrst.

     Reflect God’s glory. Let Him take over and transform your life as only He can. The veil has been lifted forever. It’s His work, not ours. Become that jar of clay.  As He molds you into His work of art, remember His temple, that inner sanctum where He resides, now resides within us. Hallelujah!

Dear Lord,

These words are miraculous and awe-inspiring. Only you could take sin-filled man and fill them with something beautiful and holy; Your Spirit. Let it be said of us that we are Yours.

Amen

Grace and More Grace

 

     We are fortunate to live in God’s grace. Grace is the good news of Jesus. In addition to Webster’s definitions of the ways we use the word, like “goodwill” and “beauty of form or movement,” there is the definition, “God’s love.” Yes, grace is God’s love poured out through His Son. We live in His grace day by day and as we continue to talk about the “more” of Jesus, there it is. His abundant grace.

For from His fullness, we have received grace upon grace. John 1:16 ESV

     When we think we can’t be forgiven one more time, when that nasty habit rears its ugly head, when we speak out in anger or use God’s name in vain, the Holy Spirit convicts us with a gentle voice and Jesus waits for us again to come back to Him. He reminds His children that it was finished on the cross. He never leaves us. He just keeps washing over us with His grace. And then more grace. Grace upon grace.

Jesus,

Thank you for Your never-ending grace. Your gospel is the gospel of grace. What a beautiful gift from You. May we never forget it. It is Your gift. The gift of everlasting life. The gift we didn’t deserve and You give it with grace.

Amen

More and Even More

 

     Jesus offers us more. Are you satisfied? He will give you more. Are you empty? He will fill you to the full until it overflows. Do you have more than enough? He offers even more! The choices are stark. Evil may increase more and more. Corruption even more. Sin abounds.

     The contrast? There He is: Jesus. Each day this week we will focus on a verse; a verse with the “more” of Jesus. Remind yourself of the choices you have today. Fill up on life and blessing. He offers it in abundance.

     From the Amplified Bible, Jesus tells us:

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows) John 10:10 AMP

    Don’t let that pesky devil steal your joy, destroy your health and kill your soul. Ask Jesus to give you more of the abundant life in Him. He gives and gives to the full, until it overflows.

Dear Father in Heaven,

Your Son freely gave Himself to us when we didn’t deserve it, accepting the suffering we all deserve. Not only has He washed us clean from sin and promised heaven, He offers the abundant life on earth. How do we not choose Him?

In Jesus name,

Amen

Children of Love

 

     There is nothing quite like the blissful ache of loving a child. The over-powering love that takes you through chaotic sleepless nights, questioning the cry. Are they hungry? Are they tired? Are they hurt? Are they sick? Trips to the doctor, tender moments of the first laugh or first step or first steps onto the school bus. That first step that opens up a world away from you.

     The years move with ever-increasing swiftness, but the blissful ache remains. Are they happy? Are they texting while they are driving? Will they be safe when they go out? The love acts as a magnet. And the blissful ache continues with the next generation, our grandkids. The mind and heart consistently reacts to their joy, their laughter, their pain, their hopes and dreams. There is really no earthly comparison to this all-consuming sacrificial, unconditional love.

     My prayers for our girls have been steadfast and hopeful since they were born. I prayed consistently over the years for them to find spouses, chosen by God. And my prayers have been answered by our loving God. There is pride and hope and overwhelming joy and just a twinge of what? Maybe it’s a tough realization that there is a letting go. The letting go, however, comes with an answered prayer, the fulfilled dream of raising remarkable human beings. My husband and I have realized it twice. The Lord has blessed us richly. The blissful ache of the deepest love. It’s what Jesus feels for you, His child. It is an everlasting love.

 

The Lord appeared to us in the past saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3

But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children. Psalm 103:17

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.  1 John 3:1

Father,

Teach us how to lavish Your love onto our children and grandchildren. The love we feel is beyond measure and yet there is no comparison to the way You love us. Teach us how to accept Your perfect love and pass it on generation to generation.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Hope of Glory

 

     Minnesota weather makes us strong and hardy or it is weak and foolish? Reading these words of Scripture today makes me smile and realize we really need God’s strength!

But God has chosen the foolish things of this world to put to shame the wise and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty. 1 Corinthians 1:27

     When change surrounds us in the weather or in life, when we feel weak and foolish, God is there. Skies may darken. Lightning and thunder may strike and roll. After the storm there is hope. The rainbow lights the sky. Something awakens within us. Suffering brings doubt and sadness, but it also brings strength and compassion. Somehow our loving Father uses the storms to bring hope to others. Our pain draws us deeper; deeper into the big questions in life; deeper in our faith; deeper in our trust.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.  Romans 5:3-5

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  Isaiah 43:2

     Jesus will walk us through this life. Count on Him. Keep hope alive. There will be flood waters rushing by us, and flames burning around us, but heaven calls, the hope of glory. Hang on to hope. We persevere. We find times of refreshment. We hold on for dear life. We hang on to each other. And we hang on to Jesus. He will never let us go.

…which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  Colossians 1:27b

Jesus,

You know what we go through. Give those suffering right now Your comfort and peace. Help us to persevere and develop character and bring hope. You are the hope of glory, now and forever. And we rely on Your strength

Amen

Ambassadors

 

For which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly as I should. Ephesians 6:20

     Paul was called to preach to the Gentiles (non-Jews) and offer the Gospel of grace. He was and we are ambassadors of Christ. An ambassador represents his or her home in a foreign land. Our ultimate home is in heaven and now? Our home is in Jesus Christ. How can we faithfully be His ambassadors?

     We can get to know Him intimately. The Bible promises us that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things. (John 14;26) The Spirit of Christ teaches us from the Bible and through prayer. All we do can bring the glory and the light of Christ. What a calling! What a blessing! What a miracle! To think, a fallen human being like me or like you can be Christ’s ambassadors to others.

     One day soon we will be clothed with our eternal bodies. We will still be ourselves. Jesus was recognized even in His glorified body. We will move between the new heaven and the new earth and maybe even through the universe. Jesus was in two places at once. He moved through a wall. He was no longer encumbered with space and time. And the new city of Jerusalem will be our temple of worship. Read about it in Revelation 21. One of the most astounding facts about it (other than the precious stones and jewels and the gates made of one large pearl!) is the fact that it is a cube 1500 miles high, wide, deep and long! Imagine that!

 

     All of that and more is waiting for us. Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (Revelation 3 and 13) He sees us there already. Represent Him boldly. He has given you spiritual blessings both now and forevermore.

Jesus,

Let Your Spirit teach us. We want to represent You faithfully wherever we go. Lead us today. Guide our words and our actions to bring light to others.

Amen

The Power of Hope and Praise

 

     I have witnessed the glimmer of hope in the eyes of those who have endured great suffering. I have watched Christians move small step by small step through sickness, through the death of a loved one, through a divorce, through a difficult life transition, trusting and praising God. How?

     How do we get to the point of trusting God with absolutely everything? When do we give up the control and follow Him? The complete surrender comes suddenly for some, gradually for others, the surrender never comes, even for those who love Jesus.

     It’s easy to express our praise through the days of ease and comfort isn’t it? We can thank Him for the easy blessings of everyday life, but when something unexpected happens or we watch a friend or loved one suffer, it is difficult to trust.

     We live in a fallen world. We can’t deny it, but God is in charge. He planned ahead of time for our redemption through the suffering of Jesus. He has a plan for us and He will walk us through our lives with hope. Psalm 42 and 43 are written by King David at a low point in his life, when he feared death from many enemies. Maybe you can relate. Are you feeling attacked and surrounded by enemies of your own? So was he.

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Psalm 42:5a, 11a and Psalm 43:5a.

    Listen to the second part of the verses:

Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.  Psalm 42:5b, 11b and Psalm 43:5b

     I will yet praise Him. I will hope in Him. My Savior and my God.

     Hang on to the hope of our Savior. Let Him be your consistant anchor. Where does He want you to go? What does He ask you to do? His way will bless you with hope, comfort and peace. Trust Him.

Here is a blessing for you today:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13

Amen!

All Things In His Hands

 

     Many of you know I am legally blind. When our oldest daughter was about 8 years old, she called from her friend’s house to see if her dad could pick her up. It was just around the block, but it was getting dark and she was scared. I told her he wasn’t home and she would need to walk. I knew I would not be able to bring her home because of the darkness.

     I told her I would have the light on and be there waiting. When she walked in the door, she said, “I wasn’t even scared. I sang, ‘He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands’ the whole way home.” Isn’t that a good reminder to all of us? He is in charge of all things. I have noticed the term, “all things” over and over again in the Bible. Here are a few verses for you.

Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.  John 1:3

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power and that He had come from God and was returning to God.  John 13:3

He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all-how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?  Romans 8:32

For in Him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.  Colossians 1:16-17

     All things are His. The whole world is in His hands and so are you. Relax and be at peace in the darkness. His light is in you and surrounds you.

Father,

Thank You for Jesus. You have given Him authority over us. He was there at the beginning and He is the Word come to life. Give us Your peace.

In Jesus name,

Amen

His Strength

 

     Where will God take you and me this year? Who will He place in our path? He is with us wherever we go. He will provide the strength we need and the power to overcome evil and live life abundantly, full of peace, joy and hope. I’m ready to take a step of faith into the year ahead. Are you?

     Recommit your life to Jesus this year, step by step. Ask Him for strength to take the next step with Him. He will provide the words, the timing, the people and the comfort we need at the appropriate time. He can be all things to us and we can do all things through Him.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

     Apart from Him, we can do nothing. (see John 15:5) Let’s keep our hearts and minds focused on Jesus this year. The true value in life will be the things we do to glorify Him. Those deeds and workings of the heart flow from the Holy Spirit within us and these are the things that will follow us into heaven and nothing else. I want to seek His advice, serve Him with my whole heart and settle into the light of His glory.

     Let’s make this year count for Jesus, living the abundant life found only in Him. His victory is ours. We are overcomers and we can do all things through and for Him. Let our lives become a testimony to Him, through Him, for Him.

Amen

Our Testimony

 

     As overcomers living the abundant life in Christ, we have a story to tell. A testimony of Jesus, the light of life.The words of our testimony, through the blood of Jesus, bring great power into our short lives on earth.

They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. They did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Revelation 12:11

     They “triumphed” over the devil. Yesterday we read about the power of overcoming evil with good. Today we see the word of our testimony, recognizing the power of the blood of Jesus giving us the ability to “triumph.” Jesus gives us life now and life forevermore. Let’s overcome evil this year and triumph over the devil’s wily ways.

Father,

We have the word of our testimony. Our power comes from the holy blood of our Lord, Jesus. Your Son came to live life on earth, fully God and fully man, from the baby in the manger to the cross that conquered death. We praise You today.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Overcomers

 

     Jesus conquered the grave for us. Death no longer has a hold on us. Death brings us into eternity, life lived forever in the very presence of the Most-High God. Allow that miraculous promise to live continually in your heart. One day, as believers, we will all be together in a new heaven and a new earth forever.

     Do not let this short life hold you hostage with fear, doubt and grief. Jesus overcame everything for us and because of His sacrifice, we have power over the evil one. Take in the following verses. The Holy Spirit within us gives us the power of Christ to overcome the world around us.

“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 16:33

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4

     Notice the word, “overcome” in the verses above. Victory is ours! We are overcomers. We overcome evil with good. The One within us is more powerful than the evil one. We overcome the world! Take heart! We have faith, faith in Jesus.

Lord,

We are the overcomers because of Your life, death and resurrection. We carry that hope of salvation with us every single day. Overcoming evil with good is only possible through Jesus.

Amen

Abundance

 

     Happy New Year! I pray this year will be filled with the joy and peace of our Lord, Jesus. Remembering the gifts we have available to us inwardly from the Holy Spirit will be a good way to start us on our way into the new year.

     The abundant life is offered to us through Jesus. It doesn’t mean life will be comfortable and easy. We all know life has its share of difficulties, can be hard to maneuver, and is often filled with suffering and grief, but Jesus takes us to a place above the earth, into the heavenly realms. Here is His promise to you and me as we begin this year.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. John 10:10

     The New King James version says that “we may have life and have it more abundantly.”

     Jesus offers life more abundantly, life filled with the Spirit, life lived with others in mind, life lived generously, sacrificially, a life offering hope and peace and joy. That is my wish for all of us this year. May we have life, to the full, until it overflows, through Jesus.

Father,

Thank You for the abundant life promised through Jesus. May we live in His peace and in His joy this year, no matter the circumstances surrounding us. He has overcome the world, and we can come boldly to the throne room of heaven. Thank You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Times of Refreshing

 

     My husband and I have spent the last two weeks, alone, due to Covid, first in one daughter’s family and then, in the other. The two of us have stayed healthy over these last two years, have our boosters, and I have to say, these two weeks have been a much-needed time to reflect and refresh our minds and souls.

     I have never been so ready to turn the page to a brand-new year. This last year has been filled with fear, with uncertainty, with a roller coaster of hope, followed by despair. The words of the Psalms echoed our cries to God as we watched our grandson suffering seizures, hospital stays and side effects from powerful medications. Watching him and our daughter and son-in-law go through this time has brought buckets of tears but through it all we have found hope in the strength of the human spirit, fueled with our faith in Christ.

     Gavin is doing extremely well, (praise God). The medications have been sorted and there have been no seizures in over three months. And the unexpected miracle of another baby on the way for our other daughter and son-in-law has brought such joy during this time.

     Each time I have gone through a crisis in my life, I have made a promise to never take for granted another ordinary day in life.  And I have made that promise again as I praise God this morning. I wish for you times of reflection and refreshing this year. My husband and I are introverts by nature and these weeks of crossword puzzles, reading, watching movies, taking long walks, listening to a Bible podcast and taking more time to pray, have brought back a deep sense of peace and joy that has been missing most of this year.

     Once again, I thank you for your prayers, for your friendship, for your fellowship and for entering into this experience with us. Many of you shared with me tales of your own times of suffering with kids, grandkids, grief and hope. We are in this together and I thank God for you. Never be afraid to reach out. The power of prayer is real. It lifts us up as we find hope renewed.

God bless you!

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. Jeremiah 31:25

Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.”  Mark 6:31a

Father,

Give each of us times of refreshing and relaxation, times of quiet prayer with You. Thank You for the miracles surrounding us, for the hope we find in You and each other. Give each person reading this morning, a sense of joy in You. Guide us into this New Year with hope.

In Jesus name,

Amen