Unexpected Answers

     God shows up at our weakest moments. When did you first meet Jesus? I searched for answers after being diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease and after my mom’s death. When you seek answers, you will find them. Often the light of Christ appears for the first time or the hundredth time in the dark times of life. Cry to Him. Seek Him. Lean on Him.

The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer. Psalm 6:9

You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

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

     Cry out to Him with all your heart. Seek Him with all your heart. Lean on Him with all your heart. Trust Him with all your heart. Don't lean on your own understanding. The answers may not make earthly sense, but they bring heavenly glory to Jesus.

Lord,

You understand our weakness. We ask for Your help and we ask for Your presenc to be made known in our darkest times. Let all of us feel Your unwavering presence around us.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Unexpected Hope

     The rainbow after a storm. A baby’s cry after the pain of childbirth. The first real smile after a time of mourning. Healing after a battle with cancer. The unexpected hope of Jesus. Life is full of surprises and miracles. Are you looking up with hope?

     I have watched Jesus work through times of depression, hopelessness, grief, loneliness and despair. I have witnessed a deep and abiding joy in the lives of Christians through the difficulties of life.  The unexpected hope of heaven is just beyond the earth. The unexpected love of a Savior. I pray we will witness the transformation of those we love as they find faith in the glory and light of life with Jesus. He changes everything.

…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They shall be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor. Isaiah 61;3

     Allow Jesus to bring beauty out of ashes. Praise Him even in the pits of despair. He will turn your suffering into hope and bring joy after your mourning. The unexpected hope of Jesus. He will lift you up.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6

Jesus,

Bring unexpected hope to those in need. You will lift us up when we need it most. We place our hearts and our hope with you forever.

Amen

His Perfect Love

     A perfect kind of love, an unconditional kind of love, a sacrificial kind of love, God in human form kind of love, a suffering servant kind of love, a heaven-sent kind of love; all of the above was given for us, even while we were still sinners.

But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

     Turning 60 puts life in perspective. I recognize the fact that I have many more years in my past than in my future. I pray that age brings wisdom and an acknowledgment of what is most important in the years ahead. I understand I have the perfect love of Christ with me.

     Living in relationship with Jesus should cause each of us to look and act more and more like Him. Have I changed in my attitude towards others? Am I acting out in love? Do I need to be right or can I humble myself to listen to the needs of others? Do my family, friends and neighbors know Jesus? Am I praying for those not yet in His family?

    Only those things we do for the kingdom of God will travel with us into heaven. We won’t be playing harps and sitting on clouds forever. We will have so much to do and we will have the entire universe as our playground. Focus on Jesus. He will give you the answers to life. His perfect love is yours for eternity. Let’s put our lives into His hands for as long as we live. 

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. Psalm 16:4

Jesus,

Teach us Your wisdom. Teach us the vital lessons we need to live a life of purpose. Show us what is most important to You. Help us to leave a legacy of love. Thank You for being with us for as long as we live on earth and into our eternity with You.

Amen

He Loves You

     Has the hope and truth of eternal life changed you? When you have no fear of death does your perspective of this life change? Can our fear be wiped out?

There is no fear in love. Perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4:18a

     This perfect love came in the form of the perfect man. He took the pain and suffering of our sin unto Himself and He asks us to believe in the Son, Jesus. Take these beautiful Words of hope for eternal life into your very soul today and never forget them. You are heaven-bound! Death unto life is ours and heaven will be beyond anything we can hope for or imagine.

Very truly I tell you; the one who believes has eternal life. John 6:47

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one will snatch them out of My hand. John 10:28

And this is what He promised us-eternal life. 1 John 2:25

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13

Father,

Thank You for the gift of Your Son. In His name we have eternal life. Remind us of this hope throughout our lives, through the joy and the mourning, through every season. Keep us anchored in You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

He Loves You

     I don’t think it’s possible to take in the enormity of God’s love for us. It may take eternity to figure it out. One way to understand God’s faithful, patient, enduring, unconditional love for humanity is to read His love letter.  This letter, written over thousands of years, through the power of the Holy Spirit, has been revealed progressively through the centuries.

     The Old Testament and the New work together to tell the story of the redemptive love, through Jesus Christ, for a fallen world. The more you read it, study it, meditate on it, the more peaceful and rich life becomes. It is our plum line, our guide book, our definitive Word on how to live life. It is Jesus. He is the Word, the One sent to save.

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

     The Word of God brings hope and truth and light into our lives. All of it, every single Word. Do not neglect it!

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope.  Romans 15:4

     May this Word give you peace and joy as you take on the day!

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!

He Loves You

     Hold on to God’s love for you even in the depths, He is right there beside you. Did you know the Bible tells us that nothing, not anything, can ever separate us from Him? This life will be done one day. And we will step into forever. Whatever today brings, joy or sorrow, doubt or hope, loneliness or fellowship, worry or confidence, Jesus is holding you up. Nothing will ever take Him away.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, not anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:37-39

Dear Lord,

These Words bring such encouragement to us. Not even death will separate us from Your love. Surround us with that love and heal the hurting world around us.

In Jesus name,

Amen 

He Loves You

     Your relationship with Jesus is unique. He knows your quirks, your faults, your personality, your doubts and fears, your strengths and weaknesses. He loves you; right where you are right now, this very minute.

    

     Sometimes we compare ourselves with each other, even with those in the body of Christ. And we think we could be more like her or him. Maybe I should pray more? Should I try to teach or sing? She or he appears to be so full of joy. Why can’t I be more like them?

     Let Christ’s love wash over you and let it be enough. Once you are His, He will never let you go. Relax in His presence. Tell him everything on your heart. He won’t tell anyone! And He is there to help, to guide, to teach, to give you power and love and strength.

     Just as each of our earthly relationships is unique, one-of-a-kind and special, so is the relationship with our Lord. Yes, we are somewhat of a dysfunctional family. There are various factions and denominations. But, if we have accepted Jesus as Lord, we are sons and daughters of the King! We are children of the most high! We are brothers and sisters in the faith. Enjoy your relationship, just as it is, made just for you and Jesus. He chose you. You are His.

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

Jesus,

Thank you for loving us, each in our own way. The deep understanding, patience and kindness You give each of us cannot be measured. Meet us right where we are and show us the way.

Amen