Hope

     With the uncertainties in life, there is hope. Hope remains. At the end of the struggle, with the easing of grief, with remission after treatment, with recovery, with reconciliation and forgiveness, there is hope. At the end of this earthly life stands hope. One day, all of our longings and hopes will be realized.

     In the meantime, hang on. Hope is there. Anchor yourself with hope today.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. Hebrews 6:19

     Hang on to the anchor of hope in your soul. Jesus is guiding you through the uncertainties and struggles of life. He will never let you go. Your foundation is secure with Him.

Jesus,

Sometimes it’s hard to hang on to the hope you offer. Comfort and strengthen those with uncertain futures. You know the number of our days and we hang on to You.

Amen

At Any Age

    

     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.”

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        

Be Kind

     The following verse was put to music in a sweet song that my two daughters still sing. They first sang this little ditty in a pre-school music session at church.   Music, lyrics and all, seem to flow through our memory banks more easily than anything else.

And be kind to one another, temder hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgives you. Ephesians 4:32

     At the end of the song, they slid one hand over the others and said, “Yeah!”  Be kind, one to another today. Be tenderhearted. Forgive one another. After all, Jesus has been kind, tender-hearted and forgiving to you.

Jesus,

Your Word continually teaches us. Your heart shines through each page as our redeemer, our friend, our teacher, our companion. Show us today how to be more like You in kindness, compassion and forgiveness.

Amen

Believe In The One

     Some questions came up this week in Bible study. How do we invest and utilize our time for God? Are we doing enough? Are we praying enough? Are we spending enough time with God? All of these questions can be healthy and good for making some changes.

    

     However, these questions can also lead to unnecessary guilt and a “works” mentality. God does not like “religion” and dutiful obedience. Sometimes we do more and pray more because of pride, rather than serving from a heart filled with the love of Jesus.

     We are loved. We belong to Jesus and we will live in heaven one day. He will never leave us. These are His promises for you and me. We are forgiven, past, present and future.

     All God asks of us is to believe. That’s it! What a gift! What a relief! What a joy it becomes to serve Him, when we humbly accept what He has sacrificially and freely given.  The disciples asked Jesus a question similar to one we would ask:

Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” John 6:28

     Good question. What do we have to do? What does God require?

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this; to believe in the One He has sent.” John 6:28

     Believe in Jesus. When you feel like you have let Him down, He forgives. When you don’t do enough, He is enough. When guilt and pride rear their ugly heads, humble yourself before His throne. He is working, even when we are not. He is all for us. Just believe.

Jesus,

The work of God is to believe in the One He sent. That is You! We believe. Continue Your good work in us. (Philippians 1)

Amen

Iron Sharpens Iron

     Studying God’s Word with other believers has been one of the highlights and greatest blessings of my life. Sharing insights, studying deeply, and caring for one another help us live out our lives for Christ.  As we study together, Jesus opens the eyes of our hearts and adds joy and wisdom to our lives. My Tuesday morning ladies have brought all of the above to my life over the last ten years and this verse will forever remind me of them.

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

     We have laughed and cried. We have welcomed new women of faith and said goodbye to some beloved friends. Wherever you are and wherever you go, you have the family of Christ. Those that love Him have an immediate connection. We share His love. We love His Word. We are true heaven-bound, forever brothers and sisters.

     Let the Word of God dwell among you richly. Study the Word with others, if possible. It will change your world. As Solomon says:

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

Jesus,

Thank You for making us one in Spirit. The deep fellowship of believers is like nothing else on earth. Show us how to sharpen one another into all wisdom as we strive to serve You. Your Word changes us into Your image.

Amen

Fan Into Flame

     The Bible is filled with life-giving power. The Word will light a new fire in your soul. After the resurrection, Christ walked with two men and explained to them all of the Old Testament prophecies declaring the coming Messiah. Later that day, they spoke of Him.

They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”  Luke 24:32

     Has God’s Word lit a fire within you? Ask Jesus to open the Scriptures to you.  Paul mentored Timothy to become a pastor of the Lord and he told Timothy this:

For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  2 Timothy 1:6

     Pray for God to fan into flame the gifts that are within you. Let God’s Word burn into your heart and, maybe, like John Wesley, you can say:

“I ask God to set me on fire and let people watch me burn.”

     As we focus on God and His Word, as we spend more and more time with Him, He can become our greatest passion. Set us on fire, Lord.

Father,

Your Word is truth. Help us to fan into flame that truth so others may see the glorious future you have planned for us.

In Jesus name,

Amen

He Surrounds You

     God’s presence surrounds you. This week we read about the overwhelming thought that Jesus is not only behind us, but in front of us and within us.  Whether you feel Him around you or not, He is there. Whether you are trusting Him or not,, He is trustworthy. Whether you have faith or not, He is faithful.  Fill your soul with these Words:

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. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there. If I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there, Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:5-10

     He is right there, holding you fast. Through every day. Through each and every night. He is there, even then.

Jesus,

Your presence surrounds us. Your Spirit lives within us. Your Word burns in our hearts. Give us the passion to live this life as Your servants. You will hold us with Your righteous right hand.

Amen