Heaven Awaits

     This week will be a week of anticipation. Are you looking forward to an event, a birth, a wedding, a family celebration, a vacation? As we journey through life, we often look ahead. What’s next? College, job, retirement. Life marches on. Memories form and hope remains. Hope for a future, and a plan with a loving God and Father.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

     “Hope and a future,” are, indeed, words of anticipation. Place your trust in Jesus today and forever. Heaven awaits and whether we are here or there, we are in good hands.

For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 2 Corinthians 5:7-9

     Be at peace. The anticipation of heaven is real. We need have no fear of death. We will be present with the Lord. Place your life in His hands. We await heaven!

Father,

Your plan for us is good, whether here or there, now and forever. What a glorious homecoming awaits us. You long for us as much as we long for You. We walk by faith as we live to serve and to please You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Go Deep

     As we dive deeper into faith and relationship with Jesus, prayer will become an inherent, valuable part of our lives. Jesus is with us morning, noon, and night. His Spirit resides within and is there to listen, guide and comfort. God’s Word imbedded in our hearts, can become a part of our praise and prayer time.

     Reading through the Psalms can lift us out of despair and bring us into the throne-room of grace. We are welcome in the heavenly realms because of Jesus. Everything in our heart can be laid before Him with thanksgiving.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

     Hang on to the words of our God. Do not worry. Give it all to Him. Thank Hiim in advance for working in your life. He promises us a deep and abiding peace. We are His. Now and forever.

Amen

Go Deep

     Drawing closer to God involves studying, meditating on, and holding onto God’s Word. Someone once said that the Bible is shallow enough for a child to comprehend and, yet, so deep, it would be impossible for the greatest theologian to understand it all. Having studied the Word for twenty-five years, I can tell you, I have grown more and more in love with Jesus and more amazed at the endless beauty and wonder of the Word.

     The Word is alive. It has prophesied for thousands of years, every jot and tittle God-breathed and truth-filled. The Bible speaks of the beginning to the end. Genesis to Revelation. Nothing has been disproved. On the contrary, the Bible revealed the earth as a sphere long before the first astronomers came to that conclusion. Scientifically, archeologically, and historically, it has stood the test of time.

     This is our plum line for life. If we listen and obey, we will be blessed. I encourage you to read, study and place verses in your heart. The Word will get you through this life. As our pastor used to say, “If your Bible is wearing out, there is a good chance you aren’t”

     God has revealed exactly what we need to know in His Word.

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed to us and to our children forever that we may follow all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29

The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving lieht to the eyes. Psalm 19:7-8

For the Word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates, even dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Father,

Your Word is more precious than gold and silver (Psalm 19). It penetrates so deep and reveals hidden truths to our hearts. Give us a hunger and a thirst to study and meditate on Your glorious Word. It reveals truth and light.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Go Deep

     As believers, the Holy Spirit of God lives within us. Our bodies are called His temple. (1 Corinthians 6:19) Does He feel at home with you? Are you listening, following, obeying His voice? The Jews lived under the law. Everything was based on outward obedience. Laws were strict and binding. Disobedience came with fierce punishment. Even their worship was filled with ritual, their temple, large and opulent. The law taught them (and us) about sin. And no one could fulfill the law.

      That is, until Jesus lived a perfect life, died and paid the penalty in full. From that time forward, the Gospel allows us to be inwardly filled with the Spirit, to be covered with grace, and to allow the Spirit to work in us in deep and profound ways. We are blessed to have access to the deep thoughts of our God.

However, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”-the things God has prepared for those who love Him-these are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

     The very Spirit, residing within, searches all things, even the deep things of God. Listen, search, study, and be blessed. God will reveal such amazing insights in a dark and depraved world. He is light! His ways offer blessing, no more condemnation, no more punishment. We are loved.

Father,

These truths are astounding! The outward temple has been replaced by the hearts of men. We long to understand more, to listen for You above the turmoil and chaos surrounding us. Help us to be still and hear and obey.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Go Deep

     You may have heard this ancient Greek quote attributed to Socrates, “An unexamined life is not worth living.” What do you think? Life gets busy. Routines form. Days flow by with no deep thought, moving from one task to the next. Waiting for the weekend? Retired and just thinking about fun? The Bible gives us clues on how to go a bit deeper, into purpose, into living for more than our personal needs and wants, a life of service to each other, in order to bring glory to God.

     God has built you for this season, for His purpose. Let’s dig a bit deeper with Him and His word. God promises us to speak to us in a deep, spiritual language. Can you hear Him? Have you experienced His voice from the deep? In the whisper of the wind? In study? From another believer? His voice can be heard in a variety of ways, if we take the time to listen. Dive deep.

He reveals deep and hidden things. He knows what dwells in darkness and light dwells with Him. Daniel 2:22

     The deep and secret things of God will be revealed with His glorious light. I am ready to remove the darkness and move into the deep waters of His light. Are you?

Lord,

Speak to us from the deep. Your Spirit will move us into a more intimate relationship with You as we take the time to examine our lives, as we open ourselves to Your guiding, as we are transformed from darkness to light.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Beauty, Goodness, Glory

     Beauty in suffering. Goodness from God before, during and following our times of need. The examples of women and men of faith are inspiring. Our struggles tell our stories. Our testimonies reverberate and lift up. Yes, Jesus is the answer. Yes, Jesus has changed my life. Yes, the joy and peace I hold deep within my soul are from Him and Him alone. Yes, He is the beginning and the end. Yes, He is alive and yes, He is my Savior.

     A faith we can trust through all of this life. A living redeemer who died for us. The one and only Son of God. It is all about Him, through the joys of this life and through the tragedies. It is all to bring glory to Him and that glory can radiate through us even now. He continues to change us into His image! Imagine that.

And, we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image, with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

     Hope in Him. Allow His glory to increase as you receive the Holy Spirit guidance and as you follow His ways. Miraculous…beautiful…filled with hope.

Jesus,

You are the final answer, the living hope that fills our hearts. In the midst of our lives, You are there, always there, never forsaking, never abandoning, never leaving our sides. We count on You.

Amen   

Good Will Come

     Suffering finds us scrambling for answers. Why is this happening? What do I do now? When will this end? There are no easy answers to the questions, are there? One thing I have discovered over the years. God knows. He understands. He will bring good through it all as we live to serve and trust Him.

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

      These may not be the words to offer someone in the midst of suffering. Most times, we just need a listening ear and a hug, no quick platitudes, no formulas, no pat answers. The grieving process is important and it takes time, so much time.

     Something begins to happen over a lifetime of following Jesus. Our trust builds. We witness His ways in which He works. We get through the suffering and come out of it more in love with Him, praising His name and finding hope. Always hope. He is good. He loves us and our lives are short.

     Our redeemer lives and one day we will be with Him.

Father,

Help us to sit with the grieving, to listen to those in need, to offer compassion where there appears to be no hope. These are Your ways. You show us how. You walk us through. You know our hearts. You understand our deepest needs. We always turn again to You.

Amen