Author: Judy Elmer

“I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.” Job 42:2

This picture made me think of a time in my life when I felt the dark clouds of suffering and those heavy clouds of unanswered questions. My husband had an unexpected brain bleed and a massive stroke. Our lives changed in a heartbeat. I want to encourage those who are suffering and wondering why… to not forget that God’s love doesn’t stop and start. God’s love for you is forever and He has not turned away. He is with you. God’s purpose is supreme and you have a significant purpose in God’s plan. When open to Him and willing to follow… No dark times of suffering or heavy clouds of unanswered questions can stop God’s loving purpose for you.

God’s right hand represents his reigning power and sovereign authority. His right hand also symbolizes action that brings divine protection and deliverance. Our Father God’s right hand is an expression of strength with a readiness to give comfort, help and endurance. The very thought that my right hand, and yours too, fits perfectly in God’s right hand leaves me awestruck and a loss for words. But God’s Word says it best…Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. Psalm 73:23 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings, My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:7-8

Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8

Have you ever felt dropped and broken? The list is long that describes brokenness: loss of a job, loss of health, loss of a loved one, divorce, loneliness etc. etc. In today’s world we often throw away things that are broken. But God doesn’t throw us away. I’m so thankful He is willing to give “do-overs” and give new beginnings. He can take the broken pieces of our lives and make something good come from brokenness. God is stretching me as He shapes and molds me to a new level of trusting Him. His reshaping, stretching and molding in our lives takes time. We’re like the clay and God’s not finished transforming lives.

I’m finishing up a Bible study about the book of Psalms. It’s impressive that no matter how awful things were the psalmist turned to hope and praise. Praising God definitely gives us a fresh perspective. In Psalm 148 the psalmist calls ALL people and ALL of heaven and earth to praise God. This picture and the words my friend expressed is a good example of praising God from a fresh perspective.

Praise the LORD from the earth…you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars. Psalm 148: 7a, 9

“I was watering the vegetable garden…looked up and was struck how the trees were perfectly still in the rays of the morning sun…as in awe and reverence before God. Made me stop also to give Him Glory and Praise due Him!!” by Suzette White

Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:4

When things start to shake us, our Supernatural Stabilizer can keep us from falling apart. The LORD is our firm foundation, the Rock who revives and refreshes us with His living water. His love is steadfast and constant. His power is strong and mighty. His peace is powerful and calming. His faithfulness is secure and steady. We can trust the Rock Eternal forever!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you. 1Peter 1:3-4

“He has risen!” Mark 16:6

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. 2 Cor. 5:21

In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Rev. 5:12

I often hear how important it is to guard your relationship with Jesus. But how in the world do you do that? When I saw this picture I thought to myself that’s the answer! The more I seek Him and find the truth about Jesus in His Word, and talk to Him in prayer, my love for Him deepens. As love deepens, our faith is strengthened and our desire to guard our relationship with Jesus is of foremost importance.

Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matt. 22:37

Those focused, piercing eyes are chilling and somewhat scary. That mean look got me thinking about the things of this world that are mean, chilling and scary. If that should happen to you too, let’s turn our thoughts toward Jesus who loves us, fights for us, prays for us and is our Shelter.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

Every time I look at this picture I have to laugh. When my day gets stressful and I don’t feel like laughing, this picture of Carl and me guarantees a laugh. I believe God created in all of us the ability to laugh because it’s good for us. Laughter relieves tension, helps put things in perspective and cheers us up. God’s Word says…“A cheerful heart is good medicine…” Prov. 17:22. Let’s ask God to prescribe for us every day a cheerful heart with a double dose of laughter.