Eternal Eyes

 The blogs this week were written more than 3 years ago. Our daughter turns 35 in a couple of months. This blogs this week remind us to consider the deep questions and count our blessings each day. Have a wonderful 4th of July week!

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

 

 

Eternal Eyes

 

     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 a distance for as long as we can. 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 are ultimately and definitively His to 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 in here.

Amen

Eternal Eyes

 

     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

 

Eternal Eyes

 

     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 and peace. 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 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

 

Eternal Eyes

 

The blogs this week were written three years ago. I wanted to share them with you.

     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

Faith Belief Trust

 

     Faith, belief, trust. Jesus asks us to believe in Him, to trust Him, to have faith in Him above all else. 

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. 1 Peter 1:8

Maybe you have heard of Joni Eareckson Tada.  Over 50 years ago, as a teenager, she had a diving accident that left her as a quadriplegic. She has given her life to serving Christ. Through the years she has inspired millions. She is an amazing artist, painting painstakingly with her mouth. She is an author, and an advocate for those living with disabilities. Listen to this perspective from someone who has suffered so much

“I want to stay in the habit of ‘glancing’ at my problems and ‘gazing’ at my Lord.”

     Beautiful. Look above the clouds in your life to the glory of the Son. You can trust His promises. You can have faith that He knows what He is doing. Maybe like Joni, He will use your struggles to show His glory. What a privilege.

     When we look over our lives, when we are seated in heaven, the things we did for Christ will remain. Trust, believe, have faith in the One who is worthy.

Father,

Teach us to gaze at Jesus with complete faith and trust. This short life is meant to be lived for Him. He is the missing piece. We were made for Him.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Finding Hope

 

     Are you in the midst of chaos? Feeling like circumstances are so far out of control, you aren’t sure what to do next? We live in a fallen world. The creation is crying out. Our souls are crying out. Anxiety, anger and addiction are running rampant through our younger generation. What do we do and where do we go with all of it?

     As followers of Jesus Christ, we know where to go. We go to the foot of the cross. We plead and pray and we are escorted right to the throne room of heaven. We present our needs and trust Him to find an answer. When we don’t know how to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. (Romans 8) When we trust Him in the middle of the hurricane, we find calm in the midst of the storm. (Mark 4) We find rest. (Matthew 11) We find peace. (John 14) We find patience. (Romans 12) We find hope. (Hebrews 6)

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Romans 8:25-26

     Isn’t that comforting? The Holy Spirit Himself is groaning right along with us through the desperate times in our lives. He understands. He intercedes. And I can attest to the promise Jesus gives us to work all things together for good. It makes no sense, but God is with us and will work it out.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

     His purpose. Maybe that’s part of the problem. We won’t understand His purpose completely until we are in eternity with no more tears, no more pain, no more crying. Give it all to him to work it out for you.

Lord,

Give us the patience. Give us the prayer. Give us the hope to trust you when we can’t find an answer. Comfort those who grieve. Put your loving arms around us today as we welcome your mighty presence.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Strong and Courageous

 

     The resurrection power of the risen Lord lives within you! Heaven’s gate is open to your prayers. Jesus intercedes for us in the world and against the power of Satan. Feel His strength and stand tall in His confidence. The one within you has the power to overcome anything.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God’ all things are possible with God. Mark 10:27

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

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

     On our own, we are doomed for destruction.  Hope fails. Life comes up empty. Jesus fills in the God-sized hole in our souls. Suddenly, we find strength in our weakness, hope in the midst of despair, and faith to overcome our doubt. Faith can move mountains. With God, all things are possible. He brings triumph from our tragedies and a message from our mess. Turn it over to him. He is with you wherever you go.

Jesus,

With you all things are possible. Don’t let us forget the power of the Spirit within us. The power of your resurrection came into our earthly lives and we thank You.

Amen

The Unseen

 

     I have been privileged to know and love older women of faith, in the churches I have attended and through a Bible study I facilitated for several years. Some of them are in heaven with Jesus. I was blessed to have them in my life.

     The following verses are my favorites and I know I have shared them in the past. I have read them at funerals and I use them to remind myself that my body, too, will eventually tire and wear down. But as we age, as we grow weary, as we learn to live with aches and pains, with disease and deteriorating eyesight and hearing, something beautiful is moving in our spirits.

     I have seen this miraculous power coming straight from heaven, in the older generation of believers. 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. How beautiful are the ways of the Lord. Fix your eyes today.

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, for what is seen is temporary and what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Jesus,

We fix our eyes on You. Each step of life brings us closer to paradise. You renew us day by day. The eternity that awaits us will far exceed any momentary troubles on earth. Give comfort and peace to those in the midst of suffering. Increase their joy in You in anticipation of the life everlasting.

Amen

 

Beyond Our Circumstances

 

     Reading the words of the Gospel last week brought me to a place of deep gratitude and humility. It’s a good idea to go back again and again to the truth of the work of Jesus on the cross and what it means to us. That cross of suffering, where the holy blood of the most-high God was shed for you and me is a symbol of unconditional love, beyond human understanding.

     Living our lives with the power of the Holy Spirit, in deep gratitude, develops in us a perpetual focus on God Himself, rather than on our short lives on earth. Can we trust him with everything? Can we trust him through hurt and doubt and grief and worry? Probably an impossible task for our weak human minds, hearts and emotions, but God is worthy of our trust and praise.

     Looking back, I can see His hand and His strength through the most difficult and despairing moments of my life. He somehow, over time, works things for his good. Trusting Him with our future is easier when looking back with perspective. Kierkegaard said, “Life can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forward.”  

     Beyond your feelings today, trust his undying love for you. Beyond your circumstances, he brings hope. Beyond the grave, he brings eternal life.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6

Lord,

Our grateful hearts reach up to you. Guide our lives as we lean on Your understanding above our own. Lead us to trust You with it all until we reach heaven’s door.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Equally Uniquely Loved

 

     Walk in confidence today as a child loved by God. You are dearly loved. Yes, you!

For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that He has chosen you. 1 Thessalonians 1:4

     Dear sisters and brothers loved by God, He has chosen you. He has chosen me. Christ will give us His righteousness, His power, and His wisdom and His truth. Our steadfast faith in Him gives us confidence.

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

Such confidence we have through Christ before God. 2 Corinthians 3:4

     Equally and uniquely loved. He loved us so we may love our brothers and sisters in the faith, as well as others in the world. Our confidence rests in Christ, our faith secure. Be yourself. Let your personality, gifts and talents shine in this dark world. We walk in freedom and trust, knowing we are His, now and forever. Rest in that this week as you venture out, dear brothers and sisters loved by God.

Father,

We rest in Your love, moving in confidence. Your love never fails and You forgive time and time again. We remain Yours now and forever, children dearly loved..

In Jesus name.

Amen

 

Equally Uniquely Loved

 

     We are equally and uniquely loved. Your relationship with Jesus will look different than mine. I have a good friend who is fortunate enough to spend two hours every morning in deep study and prayer. What a gift!

     Another of my friends is an extrovert who just takes Jesus with her wherever she goes, picking up nuggets of wisdom from Him along the way throughout the day. What does your relationship with Jesus look like? Are you aware of His presence? Do you ask for direction throughout the day? Do you seek Him when a decision has to be made? Pray for the health of others? Look to His Word for answers?

     He yearns to be close to each one of us equally and uniquely. He honors each one of us in deep love and concern. He is for us and with us every moment.

Now you are the body of Christ and each of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:4-5

     Equal parts of the same body, each one uniquely created, to work together in service. Don’t you just love His plan? He loves us and we love one another.

Lord,

Thank You for the individual gifts You give, the way You guide us into relationship with You and with others. We wait for opportunities to serve, each one in the ways chosen by You. Teach us how to find our spiritual gifts and to use them to Your glory.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Equally Uniquely Loved

 

     We love because of Jesus. We are transformed because of Jesus. We can live with the Holy Spirit of the Creator of the universe because of Jesus. We can live supernaturally, with hope, because of Jesus.

We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19

     Because He first loved us. That love permeates everything about us. He lavishes us with the type of love that defeats death and brings life.

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

     We are children of God! He lavished His love on us with Jesus. And because of Him, because of His forgiveness, His grace, His new mercies every morning, because of His death, we can choose life, life now and forever.

Jesus,

Thank You for the gift of life everlasting, and for the great love You lavish on us each day. Help us to live out our lives with that same love for others. We love, because You first loved us.

Amen

Equally Uniquely Loved

 

     This week, we are allowing God to lavish His love on us, and, in return, we will love and honor one another. One of the purposes of God’s love for us, is to take care of, and honor our brothers and sisters in Christ. We may have personality clashes, but we are to love. We may feel jealous of another’s gifts, but we are to be satisfied with our own. We are to rejoice with one another and suffer with one another.

     The deep fellowship in Christ is unlike any other. It will move from this earth to eternity. We are linked together forever as children of our Father. Let’s love.

So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.  Now, you are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12;25-27

Rejoice with those who rejoice. Mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15

     We are in this together, equally and uniquely His. Our joys can be shared and our burdens cut in two when we live out life together.

Father,

Thank You for brothers and sisters in the faith. Jesus died for all of us. We want to learn to love and to live through and with Him. Help us to be examples in the world around us, as we share the generosity and unconditional love of Jesus.

Amen

Equally Uniquely Loved

 

     I have to remind myself, continually, that God loves me and always wants the best for me. So many days, I feel guilty about one thing or another. You, too? As human beings, we have our weaknesses, our temptations, our emotions and a myriad of other attributes that take us away from God’s plan.

     Just for today, soak in God’s unconditional love for you. Don’t be hard on yourself. He loves you just the way you are. He understands your unique personality and your unique gifts. The ways you serve won’t look like the ways I, or anyone else serves. Let’s not compare and compete. We are all members of the same body, with different parts, all valuable to Jesus.

     Some of our gifts are quiet and encouraging, others boisterous and generous, others behind-the-scenes and, still others, up on the podium. None is better than another. You are gifted and loved. You are a child of God, a beloved child of God.

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them, and in everyone, there is the same God at work. 1 Corinthians 12:4=6

     The same Lord, the same Spirit, the same God, working in us and loving us, quirks and all. He loves you!

Lord,

You are our God and the same Spirit is within each of us. That Spirit understands us deeply and profoundly, leading us in ways we often don’t even notice. Guide us into truth and into Your love today.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Blessed

 

     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. May God continue to shower you with His rich blessings.

Amen

Light of the World

 

     As we have seen, 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 Persecuted

 

Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Matthew 5:11

     Persecuted, insulted, telling lies about us? Have you experienced any of the verses above? The day is drawing closer when Christians will be more and more persecuted in the world. There have always been martyrs for the faith, from the time of the disciples (all but one was killed for their faith in Christ) to the present day.

     All of those killed in the name of Christ are with Him in heaven, receiving their rewards. We await that day and, in the meantime, if we are persecuted, we stand tall, speaking the name of Christ. He is our power and our strength. There is nothing to fear. Blessed are we.

The Lord is with me. I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 118:6

Father,

The blessings from You are here and now and, more so, in heaven. One day, we will forever praise You face-to-face. This life is but a breath, a minute in the scheme of eternity. We do not fear.

In Jesus name,

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. 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 Pure in Heart

 

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8

     Only through Jesus can God give us a pure heart. Once, we believe, all of our sins are washed away and God sees us only through the lens of Christ. His righteousness covers us with His holy blood, shed for us.

     We are pure, washed white as snow.

“Come now and let us reason together,”, says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18

     We are filled with the Holy Spirit because of the love of Christ. Blessed are we. And we shall see God face to face. It is His promise.

Lord,

We thank You for the washing of our sins that leaves us pure in heart. It is all because of Jesus and we praise You today.

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 for God

 

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