He Knows You

 You have searched me, Lord, and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise. You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down. You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, You, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and You lay Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Psalm 139:1-6

     Jesus knows the number of our days. He counts the hairs on our heads. He is behind, beside and before us. He has the answers to eternal life.

Simon Peter replied, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words to eternal life." John 6:68

     This fallen world does not have the answers. We will never understand all of it, but we have this life to live and we have Jesus to get us through. Take comfort this morning. Be at peace. He has you in the palm of His hand and He loves you.  He knows you. Where else would we go? He has eternity waiting just for you and me.

Father,

Your ways are too high and wonderful for us to understand.  Give us deep peace and confidence this morning.  You've got his!

Amen

     

A Solid Foundation

 

     Is your faith set firmly on solid ground? Is your faith in Jesus new or even non-existent at this point? Is your faith a little shaky when a sign of trouble is on the horizon? Does doubt creep in? The Bible talks about the foundation of faith. Let’s take a look.

So this is what the Sovereign Lord says; “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.”  Isaiah 28:16

     This verse was written hundreds of years before Christ came to earth. Who or what is this precious cornerstone, this tested stone, the sure foundation, the one we should rely on so we will never panic?

     The Scriptures are so deep and beautiful and true. Scripture interprets Scripture. I heard someone say something like this; the Bible is shallow enough for a child to understand and deep enough that the greatest scholar will never get to the bottom of it.

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. 

Ephesians 2:19-20

     Yes, our faith is built on the word of the prophets, like the verse above written by the prophet Isaiah and the verses above from Paul written to the church at Ephesus.

As for everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 

Luke 6:47-48

     Jesus tells us to dig deep into His words. He compares those that hear and practice the word as a man building a house on what? ROCK.  Jesus is the cornerstone. Don’t you love it?

      Why not begin to dig a little deeper and put His words in your heart. Let’s build our spiritual houses on a firm foundation. The trials and tribulations of life can come gradually or unexpectedly. Either way, God will get us through on our foundation of faith. Trust the cornerstone. It’s always best to plan ahead and prepare before you see the next storm on the horizon. Jesus will protect you before, during and after the storms of life. His arms are wide open and willing to take you into His shelter before the first drop of rain.

Dear Father,

Thank you for giving us Your word that builds up our faith onto a solid foundation. Open our spiritual eyes to take in more and more of it. Jesus is the tested stone, the precious cornerstone of our sure foundation.

We praise You for that today.

Amen

Standing on Holy Ground

 

      I love going barefoot. Socks? Despise them and I toss them aside as soon as I walk through the door. I love to go barefoot around the house, spring, summer, winter or fall. The impossibility of going barefoot through months of long Minnesota winters only makes my anticipation and appreciation grow as spring and summer draw near. One day while reading the Bible, I paused at the following Scripture verse.

“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Exodus 3:5

     Moses was called to meet God. We can only imagine the encounter and what it meant. The ground was holy. No sandals allowed. Imagine my surprise. God asked Moses to be barefoot while in His presence.

     In Old Testament days, only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies. This was the inner sanctum of the temple. No ordinary folk allowed. It was a sacred place, a reverential place. It contained the presence of God.

     After Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, He gave His followers a foretaste of heaven. He left His disciples (including us) with the gift of His Holy Spirit. Yes, the Spirit of God within us! No more outer temple. The very temple of our God lives within.

     Not only is Christ beside us, around us, and in front of us, His Holy Spirit remains in us.

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you whom you have received from God? You are not your own. 1 Corinthians 6:19

     Now that the temple of the Lord is within us, everywhere we step can be considered holy ground. Wherever you are right now is Holy ground. Wiggle your toes. Where will you step today? Will it be in God’s creation?

     You may feel the rough terrain of a mountain path or sift through the soft sand of a sunny beach. Let the fertile soil of your backyard garden ooze through your toes. Tap the linoleum of your kitchen floor as you wash the evening dishes. Feel the texture of the carpet as you tuck your kids in bed. Wrap your feet around the rungs of the chair beneath your desk. Feel God’s presence around you. Wherever you stand, walk, sit or dance is indeed Holy ground.

     We are the temple of the Spirit of God. Jesus is with us each day as we visit the magnificent and the minute, the extraordinary and ordinary, the mountaintop view and the laundry room floor, the miraculous and the mundane. What a profound thought. We are His ambassadors as we walk the earth.

     So take off your shoes as you wash, and tuck, and type, as you speak and listen, as you walk through your day.  Maybe you can lead others to see the holiness around them, too.

     And, one day soon, Jesus will walk us from the pull of the earth’s blessed ground to step onto heaven’s eternal garden path. As I meet Him finally, face to face and He asks me to take off my earthly shoes, I will gladly obey and run barefoot with Him forevermore.

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Let that Spirit grow so strong that wherever we are and whatever we do, we recognize Your power and presence with each step.

Amen

 

Spiritual Power

 

     The Holy Spirit begins His work in us by convicting us and convincing us of our need for a Savior (John 16:8). When we first believe, God seals us forever with His Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14).  The Holy Spirit within us testifies to us that we now belong to God and that we are His beloved children (Romans 8:16).

     Read through these verses and believe in the work of the Spirit. He lives within us, ready to teach us, to strengthen us, to counsel us and to lead us into truth.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being. Ephesians 3:16

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  John 14:26

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another counselor to be with you forever, the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him because it neither sees Him nor knows Him, but you know Him for He lives with you and will be in you. John 14:15--17

For God has not given us a Spirit of fear, but of love, and of power, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

     Just as the moon’s light is a reflection of the sun, so we reflect the light of the Son. Allow His Holy Spirit to shine from within with the light that will never fade.

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness, with every increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Jesus,

Increase Your glory within us through Your Spirit, so we may continue to shine until You bring us home.

Amen

 

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

All Things

 

     Love the Lord. Leave a legacy. Live your life. As you consider our witnesses past and present, think about your future as one of those witnesses. I love the fact that there are clouds of witnesses, thousands upon thousands of them in heaven, still making a difference on earth. God chose the people of the Bible to continually teach us and guide us. We encounter situations in our lives that are echoed in their stories.

     I want the echo of my life to resound after I leave this earth and, most importantly, to leave a legacy of faith. Without Jesus, it would be impossible to get through the days. But with Him?

I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.  Philippians 4:13

     Guarding our hearts away from the cares of this world is not easy. But all of those worries, all of that fear and doubt? He’s got them all under control and we can do all this through His strength. Each day brings us closer and closer to meeting Him face to face and being greeted by our great cloud of witnesses.

Dear Lord,

We want to be a witness for You. Show us how as we get through our short lives on earth. Make us matter as we bring glory to You through what we say and how we live,

Amen

Together

 

     The heroes of our faith long gone, bless us today through their histories. Our loved ones gone from earth fill our hearts, as they await us in heaven. The list included in our cloud of witnesses gathers around us to strengthen us and give us hope.

     What about the witnesses currently affecting us? Are there women and men of faith inspiring you right now, right here, at this time in history? I have been and continue to be inspired by pastors and leaders around the world, standing for their faith, willing to give their lives and hearts to the gospel of Christ.

     I have been fortunate to be surrounded by other believers in two congregations over a span of over 30 years. Many of my closest friends are followers of Christ. They love Jesus. They love the Word of God and as the proverb says:

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

     We sharpen each other, loving each other even when we disagree. As Beth Moore says in one of her Bible studies, Children of the Day, “We don’t have to see eye to eye to walk side by side.

     I pray for you to find women and men of faith to help you grow, to walk by your side, as we continue to admonish, encourage and teach each another. We all have so much to learn from our cloud of witnesses.

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  Colossians 3:16

Jesus,

Today we thank you for the witnesses You have given us. Bring others around us to strengthen us in our faith. You hae a way of bringing just the right people around us when we need them.

Amen

One in Spirit

 

     Our great cloud of witnesses surrounds us, those past and present. Jesus, in the 17^th chapter of the Gospel of John, not only prays for Himself, and for His followers, but He prays into the future for all who will believe.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent me.”    John 17:21

     This brings the communion of saints to a much deeper level. When we take the bread and drink the cup we remember the sacrifice of Jesus. We come to the table along with the past, the present, and the future believers. We are in the presence of the cloud of witnesses. I hope and pray this brings comfort to you today. Next time you take communion think about your friends, your grandparents, your parents, or siblings and other loved ones already in heaven. They are present with you in this sacred covenant and we will be together again one day.

     In the meantime, we are one together with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, united together to make Christ’s presence known. With so great a cloud of witnesses, we can do it!

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for watching over us. You prayed for us two thousand years ago and You are with us today. Watch over our loved ones in heaven. We are one with them in Spirit and one day soon we will all be together forever.

Amen

Faith For the Journey

 

     The men and women of the Old Testament are part of our “cloud of witnesses.” They moved ahead in faith. Abraham did not know where he was going, but he followed the instructions of God. Moses could not have foreseen the armies behind him. He could not have imagined the parting of the Red Sea. And he certainly did not envision leading 2 million people for 40 years on what should have been an 11-day journey. And yet, he followed and obeyed. He trusted God for each step along the way.

     Knowing God so intimately is a gift available to us. The living breathing Spirit of Christ can lead us even when we are scared. Even when the sea is about to crash over us. Even when our future looks bleak. Here is a great definition of faith.

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

     Take your lead from the pioneers of our faith. As we believe in what we cannot see and have confidence in our hope in God, we please Him.  It’s all about faith.

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

Lord,

We want to earnestly seek You. Give us eyes and ears of faith. We, too, want to leave a legacy of faith with our families and friends. Guide our steps to trust You and to seek the wisdom of our cloud of witnesses.

Amen

 

A Cloud of Witnesses

 

     The footsteps of faith mark the way. The faithful servants that went before us.The trails of their lives teach us. One left everything he had known to travel to places unknown. One led his people despite his weaknesses. One built an ark and suffered ridicule and heartache for years. They fought and obeyed and suffered and believed. Can we leave such a witness?

     The 11^th chapter of the Book of Hebrews in the New Testament is often called the “Hall of Faith.” It lists these pioneers of faith, one after the other; Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob and so many more. They walked by faith and not by sight. Their lives would begin the journey to Jesus.

For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

     And here we are in this age of grace. Because of their faith and witness, we learn to listen to our God. Can we trust Him through our suffering and our doubts and our uncertain futures? They did.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1

Dear Father,

We thank You for these men and women of faith. Let us continue to read Your Word as You teach us through the lives of so many. Walking by faith pleases You. Even when we don’t see the promised land, we will follow You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Beyond This World

 

     Walking in the Spirit is a constant battle, isn’t it? We get distracted. Satan is always up to his old tricks of deceit, putting thoughts in our head, lying to us to make us believe him rather than God. Our flesh cries out and the spirit fights back. As we nuture our faith and rely more and more on the power of Christ available to us, we can remain more and more at peace, filled with the constant joy of Jesus.

     The song “It Is Well With My Soul,” is a reminder of what we have in Jesus. Our souls, the very deepest part of us, can be at peace throughout our lives, knowing we are not at home. Our home is with Jesus and one day, all things will become new and we will live forever in His presence. Keep that deep down in your soul at all times. The joy and peace of Christ is not of this world. It is beyond it. And the Holy Spirit within will continue to grow us in that wisdom. All we need to do is ask.

     Ask for His guidance every day. Ask for help when you feel helpless. Ask for power when you feel weak. Ask for wisdom when you don’t understand. Ask for peace when you are in turmoil. Ask for joy when you are downcast. Ask for patience when you can’t take it anymore! Ask for a heart of love when hatred is all around. It is there, just for the asking, the power of the Spirit lives in you.

Let’s end the week with this verse as a prayer:

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!

 

    

In Step

 

let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

     Is it possible to keep in step with the Spirit? What does that look like? It means following Christ when it is difficult, doing the right thing when our flesh cries out to do what it wants, taking time to be with the Lord when we are busy, sharing love when we are angry, using our struggles to share a testimony. It is life lived abundantly with the power of the Holy Spirit.

     We can’t do it in our human flesh. It is supernatural, impossible in our humanity. Oh, but God offers us so much more, when we allow Him to work within us.

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

     I don’t know about you, but I want to tap into those heavenly blessings. They are beyond the world in which we live, yet they are made available to us. Ask God to lavish you with His love and blessings today as we listen for the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

 

 

Spiritual Power

 

     The Holy Spirit will teach us all things about Jesus. As you read the Bible, the Holy Spirit will open your eyes, ears and heart to His truth. The word of God is able to teach us and bring us to new revelation, to new purpose, to a change in life. There may be an eye-opening moment, a verse that leaps off the page, or a deep peace when praying. The words of our Lord. Jesus speak about the promised Holy Spirit.

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26    

     The Holy Spirit is our teacher, our counselor, our advocate. He anoints us with His power to represent our Lord.

As for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit-just as it has taught you, remain in Him. 1 John 2:27

     We are anointed with His power as He teaches us all things. Remain in Jesus. What an exciting adventure!

Father,

How do we thank You for Your Holy Spirit? His power works in us and through us as we remain rooted in Jesus, in relationship, in prayer and in study. Give us the wisdom to seek You at all times.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Blog will return on Thursday.

Spiritual Power

 

     The Holy Spirit will teach us all things about Jesus. As you read the Bible, the Holy Spirit will open your eyes, ears and heart to His truth. The word of God is able to teach us and bring us to new revelation, to new purpose, to a change in life. There may be an eye-opening moment, a verse that leaps off the page, or a deep peace when praying. The words of our Lord. Jesus speak about the promised Holy Spirit.

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26    

     The Holy Spirit is our teacher, our counselor, our advocate. He anoints us with His power to represent our Lord.

As for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit-just as it has taught you, remain in Him. 1 John 2:27

     We are anointed with His power as He teaches us all things. Remain in Jesus. What an exciting adventure!

Father,

How do we thank You for Your Holy Spirit? His power works in us and through us as we remain rooted in Jesus, in relationship, in prayer and in study. Give us the wisdom to seek You at all times.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Blog will return on Thursday.

Abundant Light

 

Your sun will never set again and your moon will wane no more. The Lord will be your everlasting light and your days of sorrow will end. Isaiah 60:20

     I pray for you as we enter a fresh new year. May this be a year of new light, of new beginnings, of astounding hope and possibilities such as you have never seen or experienced. Believe in God. Believe in the way He sees you as His beloved child. And as His child you can shine His love light wherever you go.

     Pray for the people in your life. Reach out to others. If you are going through a time of difficulty turn the focus on to someone else, if possible. Bake some cookies. Give a word of encouragement. Pay a compliment. Let Jesus shine through you. The more you give away the more you will receive in great blessings. If you are in deep despair or struggle, accept help. There are others willing to listen, to drive, to cook, to be there.

     I pray for you dear children of the light, as the Son prays for you. Before Jesus went to the cross, He prayed He would be glorified and He prayed for all of us to be one with the Son and the Father. Let’s unite in His name.

“The Christian is a person who makes it easy for others to believe in God.” Robert Murray M’Cheyne.

Jesus,

Shine Your divine light on us and through us in the new year. May others ask about You because of us. We can make an eternal difference for You.

Amen

 

Fresh Light

 

     The sun comes up late and goes down early. A New Year is here. We could choose to focus on the darkness. Or we could watch for the first rays of the dawn and dream of longer days ahead. The shortest and darkest days of the year bring the end of one season and the beginning of another.

     With God, each ending promises a new beginning. Each omega brings the promise of another alpha. Darkness comes just before the dawn. Satan wants us to focus on the darkness. He confuses darkness with light and sometimes we are fooled. We find ourselves remaining in a dark place without believing in a way out. It feels comfortable. We make the best of it.

     God offers full light, beacons of hope before the fullness of the sun. His hope remains. His hope is everlasting. Brightness is ahead. Full summer days to bask in His light. Let the hope of fresh beginnings fill you this morning.

You, Lord, keep my lamp burning. My God turns my darkness into light. Psalm 18:38

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

     Take a deep breath and watch for the dawn. Count your blessings and pray for fresh light.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up. Do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19

     God is making a new way just for you!

Father,

We wait in hope for the new beginnings you have in store for us. Shine your beacon of hope through the darkness of these days. You are making a new path for us. You are the God of new beginnings.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Godly Wisdom

 

     As we look ahead in this new year, one of the best things we can do is to ask for Godly wisdom. God works from the inside out. Everything is a matter of the heart to Him. Godly wisdom will shut our mouths when we want to shout. Godly wisdom will bring patience when we are anxious to move ahead. Godly wisdom will take us to His word and away from the world. Godly wisdom will shine light in the darkest recesses of our heart.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5

     Ask for Godly wisdom and His attributes will begin to show through in your life.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17

Lord,

We ask for Your kind of wisdom throughout this new year. You promise to give to us generously. Teach us to wait for Your ways, instead of rushing ahead into the chaos of this world and all that is not from You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Way Ahead

 

     Transforming change is right around the corner. God takes us one step at a time into a bright and hope-filled future. Stay patient. Move slowly. Protect your heart. Listen to His voice. When you can’t see ahead, trust God. He moves in ways we don’t always perceive. He takes us up steep slopes and over rocky paths in order for us to find the straight and smooth path once again. .

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them. I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do. I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16

     Take God at His wonderful word. Take His mighty hand and He will make those rough places smooth. The path may be unfamiliar and appear a bit scary, but God will never leave us or forsake us and the darkness will become light because of Him.

Lord,

Keep us patient for Your way to be made clear. You hold us in Your Almighty hands and You guide us along paths unfamiliar to us. Keep us steadfast on the solid ground of our faith as we move into a future known only by You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Moving Ahead

 

     As you welcome 2026 and look forward to this brand-new year, do you long to let go of something or someone? Do you need to forgive someone or forgive yourself? Is there an unhealthy relationship you need to leave? How about letting it all go and promising yourself to begin to trust God more and allow Him to set you on a path of peace and joy?

     Hope is eternal. Hope is for new beginnings and what better time to imagine a hope-filled future than turning the page into a brand-new kind of hope? Let’s let go of unforgiveness, of unhealthy relationships, of anger and bitterness and move to hope and peace.

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

     Pray to let go of all that is hurtful and harmful. Hang on to the goodness, the memories that warm your heart and take a step ahead. As you let go of pain and darkness, hang on to light and blessings and hope. God will never let go of you.

I give them eternal life and they shall never perish. No one will snatch them out of My hand. John 10:29

Father,

We pray to let go of past hurts, of present harm and move with purpose into a future filled with hope. You are the author and finisher of our faith. Give us a brand-new start.

In Jesus name,

Amen