Forever His

 

     Jesus picks up the broken pieces of our lives. He forges the path ahead and straightens our path for the future. He speaks to our inner souls with the power of His Spirit. He is always and forevermore on our side. He is working for us. He protects us. He listens to  our prayers.  His presence surrounds us, and nothing, no nothing will ever separate us from our Savior.

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

     The height of our pride will not separate us. The depths of despair will not separate us. The demons tempting us will not separate us. Death will not separate us. He is here, there, and everywhere, our ever-present Savior. He adores you.

 

Jesus,

Thank you for Your uncompromising and unconditional love that far exceeds any earthly love. Your promises are eternally true. You are the way, the truth and the life.

Amen

Even to Your Old Age

 

     Along with my husband, many of our friends have retired. What’s next? Do we put our feet up, sit on a beach and indulge ourselves for our remaining years? It’s a tricky question. Certainly, God has placed enjoyment and pleasure in His creation. The warm sunshine, good friends, refreshment and relaxation.

     On the other hand, He never tells us to retire from His service. He has purpose for our lives until He takes us home. What is He asking you to do? Moses did not lead his people out of Egypt until he was 80 years old. Abraham and Sarah had Isaac in their 90’s. Caleb was just as strong at 85 as he was when he began serving God as a young man. John was given the revelation of Christ when he was well over 90.

     No matter what we do, no matter where we land, He gives us the ability to encourage, to share, to teach, to serve, to show mercy, to gain knowledge, and to love. What an adventure! We have only just begun.

They will still bear fruit in old age; they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright. He is my Rock and there is no wickedness in Him.” Psalm 92:14-15

Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He. I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4

     How wonderful! Only God knows the number of our days. If we are blessed to live into old age, we will stay fresh and green in Spirit as He continues to sustain us, to carry us and to rescue us. We all need rescuing, don’t we?

Father,

We want to bear fruit at every age. Give us purpose and opportunities until we walk through heaven’s door. Give us more and more love to share.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

 

There is a Time

 

     Is today a day to be strong? Is today a day to be humble? Is today a day to speak up? Is today a day to keep quiet? Is today a day to mourn? Is today a day to dance? Is today a day to be busy? Is today a day to relax? Is today a day to make a friend? Is today a day to begin again? Is today a day to look back? Is today a day to step out in kindness? Is today a day to seek justice? Is today a day to say, “I love you?” Is today a day for a goodbye?

     The minutes become hours. The hours turn into days. The days transition into weeks, the weeks into months and the months into years. The years become seasons of our lives. The days blur together as the decades fall behind, yet each day continues to hold its own beauty, its own promise. A life is lived, and each life is precious to our God. With Jesus, each day holds its own purpose.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens; a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 1:1-8

 Jesus,

Whatever this day brings, You are with us. Let each season bring lessons, love and laughter. Give us Your sense of this present moment, along with the perspective of eternity spent with You.

Amen

Fullness of Life

 

     Before Jesus claims our hearts and souls, we (whether we know it or not) are slaves to darkness and sin. It is impossible to release guilt, anger, shame and unforgiveness. Jesus sets us free from death and bondage. Remove the clothes of mourning. You are alive in Christ forever! The Holy Spirit can move you into more light and freedom each day.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.  Galatians 5:1

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  Galatians 2:4

     Take a deep breath. Relax in the joy of salvation. You are set free from sin and death forever. Lift your arms in worship and praise. Feel the lightness in your soul. Let the burdens of life be lifted once and for all and feel the deep peace and joy of the Lord wash over you.

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

I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. John 12;46

Jesus,

You bring us freedom from death, freedom from sin, freedom from what has bound us in the past. You bring light and the fullness of life.

Amen

Spiritual Freedom

 

     What does freedom mean to you? Freedom to be together with family and friends, to worship together, to watch a baseball game together? Freedom goes deeper. Would you like to be free of guilt, pain or addiction? Is there a prison wall surrounding you and keeping you from experiencing life? Are the tears bottled up from pain and never released? Are you angry and unable to forgive?

     Allow Christ to unlock the padlock around your heart, to free you from any bondage you have been fighting. He will open the cell doors and set you free!

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted; to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. Isaiah 61:1

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

     Jesus offers spiritual freedom. That includes freedom from death. Make peace with eternity. Remove your fear of death and remain free indeed in Christ.

Thank you, Jesus, for freeing us. You remove us from darkness and place us right out in the open, in the light of day. You call us children of the day. Let us live as if we are free indeed, free to enjoy this short life of ours, knowing we will live forever. Make our lives count.

Amen

Peace Within

 

     How do we go on when we are brokenhearted? Somehow, we put one foot in front of the other. Just one tiny step at a time may be the most we can manage. We get through the week, the day, the hour, the next ten minutes. Life is not normal, and we wonder if there will ever be a “normal” again.

     As Christians, our eternal perspective can soften us into some form of peace and joy deep within. All can be well with our souls, even when our bodies, minds and hearts are crushed and broken. Jesus knows our hardships. He suffered more than any of us ever have or ever will. Why did He suffer? He suffered for you and for me.

“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

     I pray for each of you today, that it is well with you. Most of all, I pray that all is well with your soul.

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3 John 1:2

Jesus,

The pain suffered throughout our lifetime seems insurmountable and impossible to endure at times. Days and nights move on in agony and loss. Bring comfort to those who mourn today. Heal their souls with Your promise of hope and life. Bring peace to their inner being.

Amen

 

Close to the Brokenhearted

 

     My husband and I traveled to Chicago recently to say goodbye to a good friend and celebrate his life.  At this age, we have grieved the loss of so many. My friend and I have known each other since we were 2.. We are now over 70 years old. Yes, this has been a lifetime friendship. Hopscotch and jacks, kickball, neighborhood plays, barbies, Beatle’s and Beach Boys, first crushes, high school hockey games, found our first jobs together, and I was there when she met her husband over 50 years ago. We continue to celebrate our joys and sorrows.

     Her husband was diagnosed with a fast-growing terminal brain cancer over 10 years ago and passed away after a battle against it.  My heart is still breaking for her and her boys and for all of us who knew this wonderful man. I cry out to God. Comfort her, Lord. Strengthen her, Lord. Her cry and mine are heard. Jesus is there with her and He is here with me.

     As we age, we witness the loss of spouses, friends and family. Our earthly goodbyes are impossibly difficult.

     Are you going through a time of heartache and loss?

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

      The Lord is close. He cares for you and He cares for my friend and He knows our hearts. Jesus will see us through somehow. He will never leave us. Never. And joy will return. (Psalm 30:5)

Father,

Heal our crushed spirits and broken hearts. Sometimes it feels as though our hearts might just break in two. Comfort those in mourning and lead us into Your peace. Turn our memories into smiles.

In Jesus name,

Amen