God's Will

 

     God’s will, His desire is that every single human being would recognize and know the Son. Listen to the words of Christ.

“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life and I will raise them up on the last day.” John 6:40

     God’s will is for everyone who believes in the Son to have eternal life. What a gift! God’s will is always pleasing and perfect for each of us.

    God loves all of us. Pray for those you love, for your friends and family, for your neighbors and for your enemies to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus and His gift of eternal life. It is God’s will. He will provide the opportunities. His Holy Spirit will shine through you as you light up the world around you.

In the same way let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:15

Father,

We thank You for Your gift to the whole world. We know You yearn for everyone to believe in the risen Christ. We pray for the unbelievers. Shine through us today

In Jesus name,

Amen

Final Change

 

     Our final and eternal transformation will change these earthly vessels into eternal bodies. The perishable becomes the imperishable. Living forever with Jesus on the new earth and in the new heaven will be more spectacular, more colorful, more invigorating, more worshipful, more fascinating than anything we can imagine.

…in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound. The dead will be raised imperishable and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.: 1 Corinthians 15: 52-54

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-1 Corinthians 2:9

    Nothing we can conceive in our minds, see with our eyes, hear with our ears can prepare us for heaven. One day we will be imperishable and immortal. Changed forever into glory!

Jesus,

Our final transformation awaits us. Keep us ever-mindful of the anticipation of heaven. It will get us through the deepest hurt, the most difficult days, the suffering of our hearts. We know the end of the story and it is all about You.

Amen

A Change of Clothes

 

     Two of the definitions for the word “change” include, “a change of clothes” and “substitution.” When Jesus died for us on the cross and rose again from the dead, He offered to us a substitution for sin. He offers us a change of spiritual clothing. The spiritual realm, both evil and good, can see that we belong to Jesus.

     You are clothed with Christ and with His righteousness.

I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me in garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of His righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest and like a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10

Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion and kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Galatians 3:27

     Clothed with Christ and arrayed with His salvation and righteousness as a bride adorns herself with jewels. You are covered with the beauty and glory of Christ. Live as His child. You are covered with hope and adorned with light, now and forevermore.

Jesus,

We clothe ourselves with You. You have saved us from our sins and promise us eternal life. It is the only true hope for us on earth. Adorn us for the journey today.

Amen

 

Inner Change

 

     It’s hard to imagine that this unchanging, steadfast, faithful and loving God can change us in the most astounding ways. Our outward appearance and actions may look and feel the same at first, but the change begins. It is a work of the heart.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone. The new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

     You are a new creation. The changes may be subtle, a little more loving here, a little less anger there, a sprinkle of forgiveness here, a touch of kindness there. The annoying becomes bearable. The bitterness softens. The cravings of the old life fade and a hunger develops in us for goodness and righteousness and holiness.

For you were once darkness; but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light; for the fruit of the light consists of goodness, righteousness and truth. And find out what pleases the Lord. Ephesians 5:8-10

     Our gracious God creates in us a new heart that transforms our way of life. Walk as a child of the light! And find out what is pleasing to God.

Lord,

Let our lives shine with Your goodness and righteousness. We are blessed to have Your word available to us daily. Let us soak ourselves in it until we recognize Your voice above everything else. Guide us into truth and holiness.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Our Unchanging Anchor

 

     Dealing with change and uncertainty becomes possible when you know the certain and unchanging God.

But You are the same and Your years will not come to an end. Psalm 102:27

Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

     Our unchanging Savior will steady your faltering hope. His love will anchor you in a stable place, even when the waves seem about to overpower you.

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

     This unwavering hope of the soul picks us up time and time again. Trust in the forever God. His love is unchanging. His hope is in your heart. No matter what is falling apart around you, He is there.

The grass withers, and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God endures forever. Isaiah 40:8

Father,

You are unchanging. Jesus remains the same. The world around us may fall apart, but You are forever. Give us hope and help each step of the way. Help us to place You as number one in our lives. You are the anchor, the ever-present hope.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Changes

 

     Facing change is inevitable. We may view finishing a project, changing jobs, moving on from a relationship or saying an earthly goodbye, all as endings. God does not control our choices or our circumstances, but He uses them to teach, to discipline, to change, to transform and to lead us to the path He has ready and waiting for us.

     The power of Christ redeems, restores, re-invigorates and resurrects. What are you missing today? What has changed and left you unsure? What decisions do you have to make that seem impossible? God has a plan and an answer. And He always works for good.

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

     Has God called you to be His? His plan and purpose are waiting. He will find a way for you. And this plan is GOOD!

Jesus,

Teach us to trust You with our lives. Work in our indecision, in our doubts and help us to find a new beginning leading us closer to You.

Amen

 

Life Transitions

 

     This week of celebrating the life of our friend Tom and celebrating the new life of our granddaughter, Brooklyn, ends with a life transition for us. We want to thank our precious daughter, Lauren, and her husband, Garrett, for allowing us the privilege of watching their boys for these last four years.

     It has been exhilarating. It has been exhausting. It has been challenging. It has been joy-filled. It has been filled with worry and fear. (we are forever grateful that Gavin’s epilepsy is now under control) These four years have been a blessing from God and we praise Him for putting these boys in our lives and for keeping these old folks healthy enough to keep up! (Barely!) It has been the greatest blessing God could provide.

     Life is full of change and transition. It is full of hellos and goodbyes. Jesus does not change.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

     His timing is perfect and we know these boys are ready to be out in the world  as God begins to stir in them their gifts and natural abilities to shine in this world. Our emotions are bitter-sweet, but the bonds will remain. And this fall we will be caring for our sweet Brooklyn for a year or two.

Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. Proverbs 17:6

Father,

This week of change and transition is filled with Your love and care. You do not change and we count on Your firm foundation. We thank You for the gift of grandchildren. Watch over Gavin and Grayson as they venture out in the world to become the men of God You have called them to be and may they always know how much we love them.

In Jesus name,

Amen