Life can be hard with its twists and turns. Yet even in our struggles and brokenness, God is near.
This morning I read a devotional called “The Past is Over.” I was encouraged. I hope in some way you’re encouraged too.
When we turn from our sins and place our faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, our past sins are forgiven and forgotten. He can help us not to dwell on the past wrongs some people have done to us. Jesus can take the sting away from past hurts and give us a new future.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” Isaiah 43:18-19
The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. Hab.3:19
Has there ever been a time when you felt weak but you had to be strong? I’d have to answer, “Yes, many times.” Like when I felt weak but knew I had to be strong when caring for a newborn, dealing with the death of Mother and when my husband had a stroke. Looking back I am amazed how the Lord gave me physical and emotional strength. God is teaching me that weakness can provide an opportunity for God’s divine power to be felt and seen. If you’re feeling weak but you need to be strong, choose to roll your weakness onto God’s strong shoulders. Giving God your weakness ushers in His strength. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor. 12:10
My fraternal twin sister gave me this doubled squash. This picture makes me smile and reminds me of how twins do life together. Before birth we shared life “squashed together” for 9 months. God determined when we would share the same birthday and make our entrance together into the world. My sister was first and I followed 10 minutes later. We are still connected in many ways and our love for each other is forever.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever. Psalm 100:5
On that Saturday before Resurrection Sunday when Jesus’ body was placed in a cold tomb; people must have thought God was silent. Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt like God was silent? Sometimes unanswered prayers can make you feel the silence. Whenever God seems silent, I encourage you to go back and let God speak to you through His living and active Word.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matt. 6:33
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28
“For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13
“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.” Psalm 91:14
God knows your wishes, thoughts, where you live and what you need. Here’s a picture of some special friends that prove to me that God knows what I need. God has blessed me by placing these “sisters in Christ” in my life. We laugh, cry, celebrate life and pray together. Sharing life with friends who walk in the truth of God’s Word and will pray for you, is a blessing you don’t want to miss. God sure knows what we need.
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. Psalm 139:1-2
I don’t think even in my younger years I would have done what my son and grandchildren are doing in this picture. Their facial expressions and body movements clearly states they are overcomers and free! They sure look happy conquering fear and jumping off that cliff. Pain and suffering is real in this world which makes conquering fear a challenge. But Jesus’ pain and suffering and His horrible death proved His unconquerable love for you. If there comes a time when you feel something is too big, too hard or too scary, remember you too are an overcomer and free in Jesus Christ. You are more than a conqueror!
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37,39
There’s something special about holding a child’s hand, holding a sick friend’s hand and my husband holding my hand. When Carl holds my hand it reminds me that everything’s gonna be okay. God reminds us in His Word that He’s holding our right hand! The right hand is often thought of as a hand of power. Knowing God has taken hold of my right hand brings a sense of security and protection. If you’re walking through some hard times and you feel scared. Be encouraged because God is holding your hand. He is supporting you, defending you and holding you up. God’s got your right hand!
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah. 41:13
Carl made this bowl in the picture. His bowl with this beautiful background reminded me of an activity we did in our prayer group at church. We were asked to write on a slip of paper who or what we wanted to take to Jesus in prayer. Then after praying for each concern we placed our prayer requests in a bowl for safe keeping. It was encouraging to be actively reminded that just like this bowl is holding our prayer requests, so too our prayers are held in the heart of God.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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. Phil. 4:6-7
I’m thankful that God created our sense of smell. You know what’s gonna smell better than chocolate chip cookies baking, popcorn popping, bread baking and fresh coffee brewing? It’s heaven! Everyone in heaven has accepted Jesus and the gospel of God’s grace. There’s a sweet-smelling fragrance of life in heaven with Christ Jesus.
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. 2 Cor. 2:14-16
I’m in a Bible study and we’re studying 1 & 2 Samuel. When I first heard what we were going to study I didn’t think I’d like it because of all the fighting and battles. But to my surprise this study has been inspiring and encouraging. I’d never heard God referred to as the LORD of Hosts. This royal title jolted me to a deeper realization of God’s sovereign power over the hosts of human armies, heavenly armies and even the sun, moon and stars. It’s a comforting reminder that God knows all about the spiritual battle involving our children, families, church and Israel. Even though there’s a lot we don’t understand…the clear message throughout God’s Word is that God conquers evil. Therefore, we can trust the LORD of Hosts to command His armies to protect, restore and fulfill His promises. The LORD of Hosts wins!
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Psalm 91:11