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Did you know you’re the apple of God’s eye? That means you are cherished and loved by God. That means He will take extreme measures to protect you. He will fight for you, pray for you and love you forevermore. This all sounds pretty extravagant but God’s love IS extravagant! And to think he wants to spend eternity with you. He is off the chart when it comes to forgiveness, faithfulness and love. Trust Him…you’re the apple of His eye!

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 17:8

When you feel like you can’t take one more step…God supplies the strength to go on. When the money runs out…God still takes care of you. When you’re scared…God gives you the courage to face your biggest fear. Plus, God has provided a solution to our problem of sin by giving us Jesus, His One and Only Son.

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen Phil. 4:19-20

Here’s a picture of my mother and dad on their wedding day. Mother is daddy’s beautiful bride. Mother looks so peaceful and happy. Daddy looks quite debonair. This picture means a lot to me because I get to see what my dad looked like. He died when I was two years old. Mother always had good things to say about my dad. Mother struggled deeply after dad died. She had four children to raise with no high school diploma. Mother was a hard worker and always quick to say she loved our dad. I’m thankful for my mother and dad God gave me. Jesus said in Matt.19:19 “Honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.”

Children’s children are a crown to the aged…Proverbs 17:6

Here’s a picture of our five grandchildren. We are Pops and Nana and our grandchildren are indeed a crowning glory. I’m reminded of how each one is wonderfully made by God. In this picture they’re all walking away! Sure makes me think of how fast they’re growing up. They all seem to know exactly the path ahead. I’m encouraged knowing Jesus is walking ahead of them and behind them. They’re surrounded by His love. He is the Way, fighting the battles, calming the worries and leading them through.

Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Phil. 4:4

Even in those days when you feel there’s no way you could rejoice…you can. I call that kind of rejoicing a sacrifice of praise or the shattered hallelujah. A sacrifice of praise is to willfully turn your eyes to Jesus regardless of your circumstances. Your rejoicing touches the very heart of God as you praise Him even during intense trials. Proclaiming the truth about God can change the way we think and feel. Rejoicing and trusting God ushers in the great blessing of God’s peace.

Sometimes do you feel like a lump of clay that is being reshaped and molded by God the Master Potter? At times the change that occurs from the shaping and molding can be uncomfortable or painful. God is in the transforming business. His strong hand can pull us up and out of what seems hopeless. In today’s world a lot of times we throw away things that are broken. But God loves you no matter what, and will never throw you away. He won’t let go. He can take the broken pieces of your life and make something good come from your brokenness. God’s arm is powerful and no one is too far beyond God’s reach.

Your arm is endued with power; your hand is strong, your right hand exalted. Psalm 89:13

This picture of me, my twin sister, older sister and brother always makes me smile. Some of my happy memories are: riding my bike, roller skating, Christmas Eve and Sunday dinners. Then there’s not-so-happy memories like: the tornado, mother stressed, death of my stepfather and lots and lots of work. Regardless of my past memories whether happy or not-so-happy, I can now look back and see the fingerprints of God’s steadfast faithfulness and His overruling plan. I now see that God was with me even in the times I couldn’t see or feel His faithfulness. Can you recall some past memories where you can now say…For the LORD is good and his loves endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:5

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” Matt. 28:1,5-7

I don’t like to think about the seriousness of sin for any length of time. Yet sin separates us from Holy God who wants us to be with Him. Because of God’s great love, He gave Jesus, the Deliverer from sin. Jesus took our place and paid in full the penalty of sin. He willingly died on a cross for our sins. By turning from our sins and placing our faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord our sins are forgiven and we’re united with God. I’m so thankful Jesus didn’t run away from the crucifying cross. Instead, He stayed for me and you.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

A long time ago Carl had a stroke. We’ve prayed and prayed that his right hand and fingers would once again move, but that hasn’t happened. In this world suffering is a reality. I’ve heard that God is not a refuge FROM suffering and death, but a refuge IN suffering and death. We believe that God has heard our prayer for Carl’s hand and fingers to be restored. We’d like for that to happen today, but if not, we have the hope of heaven where there is ultimate healing through Jesus Christ. Have you too experienced emotional and physical suffering? If so be assured that God is your refuge IN the suffering. You are not alone. God is with you every step of the way. His extending hand is your help and comfort IN the suffering.

God is our refuge and strength an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1