Hope

     The rainbow after the storm. When food tastes good again after chemo. First steps after a major stroke. The first breath of fresh air after an asthma attack. The call that a loved one is safe. We should bottle these moments in our life. Why does it take suffering to recognize all we take for granted? The ordinary blessings of an ordinary day should be treasured. Somehow, it takes disaster and grief to appreciate the daily gifts of God.

     And, yet, we blame Him when things go wrong, when the diagnosis is not what we expected, when a loved one dies. The world fell thousands of years ago when man turned away from God. Natural consequences and a fallen world lead to the hardships of life. But God works in them and through them. He redeems and rescues. And He resurrects.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not pur us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts, through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5

     Christ suffered for the beauty that awaited Him. He suffered for you and for me. When we have Christ, we have a new beginning waiting beyond every end. We have hope and it will never fade away. He is always there at the end of every story, even on to our eternal home of blessing.

Jesus,

Glorying in our suffering sounds impossible. With You, all things are possible. We thank You for every good and perfect gift we take for granted. Help us to look around today and appreciate You and all we have.

Amen

Back on Wednesday. Off for some girlfriend time!

In His Presence

      I’m not sure when life changed or the exact moment when Jesus really and truly became first. I believed in Jesus and His love. I knew I should:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5

     Knowing this and reading those words are completely different than living them. Jesus, over time, has invaded my whole being, until His living Words have become a part of me and how I live, unti I want to please Him more than pleasing myself or others, and now I long for nothing more than to be continually in His presence. Prayer and worship and Bible study are no longer duties or pieces in a mandatory puzzle, but my absolute favorite things to do.

     If this sounds alien to you, never fear. Your God is working on your heart and soul. Dig into Scripture and take good time to pray and the image of Christ will work on you and through you. It is an amazing gift of God.

You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand. Psalm 16:11

Dear Lord,

The best place to be is in Your presence. You give joy and love to the soul. We draw near to You today to seek Your purpose, to live in Your love, to praise Your holy name.

Amen

Enough

Jesus satisfies our needs, not our wants. God is not Santa Claus. He is enough for our situation today. He provides, just as He did for the Israelites, day-by-day. Go to Him for daily nourishment, just as you do for food and water.

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, my God. Psalm 42:1

     Never stray far from His Word, from praising Him, from seeking Him in prayer, and He will be enough. Enough for the day.

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Jesus,

Your love and grace are enough for each day, from now until we arrive in heaven. We seek Your presence and long for closeness with You each and every moment. You will never leave us.

Amen

Our Father

     The need for safety, security and love run deep within us. Unfortunately, not everyone grows up with their essential needs being met. The lost and lonely of the world need unconditional love from our Savior. God can fill the emptiness in our souls. He can be the parent, the husband, the One of our hearts.

I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you. John 14:18

     God promises to be our loving Father. He calls Himself our bridegroom. He offers protection, hope and love forevermore.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:1

Father,

You are good. You love us forever and ever. You love the orphan and the widow, the single man and woman, the poor and needy. You love me. Your love endures forever. Offer hope and security today and help us bring others to You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Time Off

     What if we try to take the week off from worry, anxiety and doubt? What would it be like to relax in confident trust? Let’s give each other a break this week from comparing our lives with others, from believing we aren’t enough, aren’t doing enough or aren’t measuring up. In our Father’s eyes, we are seen through the image of Christ.

     How amazing is that?! He no longer views our sinful hearts or our weaknesses and failures. He sees us seated in heaven, cleansed and pure, righteous and holy. Relax in your Father’s care. He loves you so much He sent His one and only Son to die for you. What more do we need?

This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:9

Lord,

Keep us refreshed and confident in You this week. We look to You to keep us on track, to fill us with Your promises and love and to offer hope when we need it most.

Amen

Crossing Lines

     Have you noticed that no one appears to be listening? We talk over one another. We get ready to make a response before we hear another voice. Everyone has a story. Everyone is made in the image of God. With so much competition, with so many polarized views, with so many hearts turned cold, maybe we can make a difference.

     Jesus walked into the lives of the marginalized of society, healing the demon-possessed, forgiving the adulterers, dining with the greedy, giving hope to the lost.  Jesus came for everyone, even those most would choose to avoid or ignore.

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17

     Maybe the people we most want to avoid are just the people God has placed in our lives. Listening and loving is no easy task. Only through God’s own love and mercy given to us, can we reach out to others. After all, Jesus saved us while we were yet sinners.

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

Jesus,

Your grace knows no boundaries. Your love crosses political lines, picket lines, protest lines, cultural lines and religious lines. You hold the hope for all humanity. Help us to cross the lines of society as You did. We need Your courage, Your strength, Your power.

Amen

Seek, Ask, Knock

     60 years of life brings perspective. God has been faithful. There were times I doubted His goodness, or lost sight of Him altogether, Funny thing is, it turns out those were exactly the times He was working behind the scenes. Darkness often leads to searching. We need light. We ask questions and when we seek, we find.

“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

     Wondering about God? Is He there? Can He help? Search the Scriptures if you are seeking answers. Ask God and He will bring light to the darkness. Knock and Jesus will come into your heart. His presence is available 24/7. The path for you will be clear in time. He is right there, working for you.

He will not let your foot slip-He who watches over you will not slumber. Psalm 121:3

Father,

We seek You. We ask for Your help. We knock on Your door. You never slumber. You are there. You watch over us and make a way for us through the darkness into Your glorious light.

In Jesus name,

Amen