Author: Judy Elmer

For our wedding anniversary we returned to the church we were married in. We walked down that same aisle, at the same time (12 o’clock noon) many years ago. As we stood at the foot of the altar where we said our vows I thanked God that Carl was still my bridegroom and I was still his bride. Returning to that wedding place made me think of how Jesus, Our Bridegroom is returning for believers… His Bride. Believers are like engaged to Jesus, and He will return for His Bride. He said He would. What a great day that will be! Are you ready?

“In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:2-3

The feeling of not having enough time creates anxiety in me and causes me to hurry. As I’ve grown older I’ve gotten some better, but in my younger years when I was working full time and the boys were little, it felt like I was always in a hurry. Hurry to pick up the kids, hurry up and go to the grocery store and hurry to fix dinner. One time I was in such a hurry I put both contacts in the same eye…one on top of the other! I’ll never forget how my youngest son at age 4 described me. He said, “When Mama gets mad she gets in a hurry.” I know that came from those mornings when it seemed impossible to get 2 kids from the kitchen to the car without some kind of delay. Many times just as we were getting ready to leave someone would either loose a shoe, spill their cheerios or have to go to the bathroom. So… I would clinch my teeth and say…”JUST HURRY!” I’m so glad God never gets in a hurry with us. He willingly takes the time to listen, watch and guide us. His timing is perfect. He can even make up for lost time.

But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands. Psalm 31:14-15

Heaven is a great place and there’s lots of celebrating going on there. People in heaven are having a good time. It’s a fun place where there’s no pain, tears, fighting or sickness. God lovingly has prepared this special place for each one of us. So how do we get there? We get there by responding to Jesus with simple faith and a sincere heart. Choose to turn from your sin. Believe that He’s who He says He is. Follow Him. Trust Him and Him alone as your Savior and Lord. Jesus has given us a lot to look forward to. You don’t want to miss this place called heaven.

However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. 1Cor. 2:9-10

God knows how our thoughts affect our feelings, speech and actions. God has given us His Word, prayer and praise to produce wholesome thoughts. Our thoughts are renewed when we intentionally shift our focus off the battle to the Victor. No matter what you’re going through, God is still willing and able to lift up your head.

But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. Psalm 3:3

Our two boys loved my husband’s mother. She bought them just about every Star Wars toy, took them to McDonald’s and gave them as many cookies and orange candy slices they wanted. The boys were 5 and 7 years old when she died. She lived with us a short time before she passed away. Both boys were upset and angry over the loss of their Grandmommy. Our oldest son was upset because he couldn’t understand why Grandmommy wasn’t calling him from heaven. His understanding was that you could have anything you wanted in heaven and surely she wanted to call and talk to him. Our youngest son was just plain angry with God for taking his Grandmommy away. One day while in the car he placed his tongue between his lips and gave God raspberries from the car window! A dear friend reminded me that God understands his feelings and that anger oftentimes is part of the grieving process. She encouraged me to pray, relax, and give the boys time to grieve. Thank goodness they didn’t get stuck in the anger. Over time they were both able to enjoy their precious memories of the great times they had with the Grandmommy they loved.

“Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand…” Jer. 18:6

I like “do-overs.” I remember as a child playing kickball and when I messed up I’d beg for a chance to kick over again…a redo. We don’t have to beg God for a “do-over.” His grace covers all the redoing. God doesn’t keep score either. He’s willing to remake as many times as needed. He knows how hard change can be. In order for a lump of clay to become the masterpiece it was meant to be, it has to go through firings in the kiln. In the heat of the kiln is where the clay is being renewed into a stronger vessel. Do you feel like God has turned the heat up in your life? Be encouraged. Our faith can be strengthened and renewed with the right attitude and our focus on Jesus. God is in the business of giving fresh starts. Our Master Potter is willing to lovingly redo, remake and renew anytime, all the time.

Father God, when You say something You mean it. You don’t take back a promise. You gave us Your Word. You promised that You will never leave us. You promised that You will walk through the fire with us. You said You will hold our right hand and pull us through. Your grip is tight. You won’t let go. Remind us often that You’re bigger than any fear we may have. You are Trustworthy and Your love is Unstoppable. We have hope because You keep Your promises.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Heb. 6:19

Using a potter’s wheel and a lump of clay, God called my husband and I to compare how clay in the hands of the potter can be compared to our lives in the hands of God, our Master Potter. The very first time we gave this message was in prison! I was scared. So with a Sharpie pen we decided to write notes on the potter’s wheel so we wouldn’t forget what to say. Well…as my husband poured some water on the clay in order to shape and mold it, our notes were washed away! God gave us a situation where we had to rely on Him and trust that He would give us the words. Standing with no notes, in front of many, and in prison, we quickly realized that God was the One in control. Not us. In these uncertain times do you fear the future? If so, I get that. What helps me when I get scared is to stop and praise God for who He is. Then just like the clay that needs water to be transformed, I need to ask Jesus to wash away my fear. Calmness comes when I remember that I can rely on Jesus and trust Him. The Bible tells us that nothing is outside of God’s control. Knowing that brings true peace.

“I know you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Psalm 42:1-2

Have you ever been really thirsty? I mean the kind of thirsty where you long for something better? Nothing in this world can permanently satisfy us or save us. God is so willing to give us His best, like forgiveness, strength, peace and eternal life. God longs to have a personal relationship with us through Jesus Christ. Only Jesus, our Living Water, can satisfy the deepest longings of our thirsty souls. Jesus invites us to trust Him, turn from our sins and follow Him. Are you thirsty for something better? God can quench our deepest longings when we pursue Him…the Living God.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Heb. 10:23

I’m not a runner, but one Thanksgiving day my husband, myself and our two boys ran in the YMCA Turkey Run. What I remember most about all that is being in pain. I got stitches in my side and I wanted to quit. But I kept on running because I could see my husband and boys cheering me on as they patiently waited for me to cross the finish line. I was determined to keep pushing forward to the finish line in spite of my difficulties. This makes me think of how the apostle Paul compared the Christian life to a long distance race. It’s hard at times to stay the course. Even so, we are called to persevere and hold firm to the hope we have as believers in Jesus Christ. As runners in this race called life, let’s encourage one another. God is faithful. He will be with you all the way to the finish line. Your future is secure in Jesus. Your best days are ahead!