In A Little While

I can always tell when a post is stirring. I don't write all the time, it's been months, but this week there were words stirring yet, I would open my computer and close it again, still with a white screen. This morning, at 4 AM, like a rushing stream, the words come. Hopefully you can make some sense of these words coming together. I am not claiming that here on this Good Friday that this is a Divine post. I am asking, Let the words of my mouth, and the mediation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight O Lord, my strength and my redeemer Psalm 19:14.

As I was speaking with a police investigator, he looked tired but steady. I asked how he was doing and did his eyes close at night, knowing what he must see each day. His answer, by God's grace. He said the average citizen has no idea but he pointed to Christ and to his church and his pastor that supports him and prays for him.  This investigator encouraged me that day. It has been over 2000 years since the darkest day in history, and then The Light pierced the darkness.  Jesus defeated death and is now sitting at the right hand of The Father. The Pharisees,  soldiers and the enemy thought they destroyed Christ and His message. All that is within me wants to say, nana nana boo boo, jokes on you. Jesus Christ and His people are not going away. The church is not dead. Legislatures, District Attorney's, cafeteria workers, school bus drivers, business women, principles, school board members, the corner barista, the stay at home moms, police, pastors and teachers, disciples of Jesus are everywhere. In our vocations and in our daily lives, whatever sphere of influence we have, faithful servants of the living God, pushing back the darkness. By the working and power of the Holy Spirit, we bring the Good News of the gospel of Jesus with salt and light, truth and grace. The army is not just rising up, nope, we are already here. Christ in you, the hope of glory (Col. 1:27).



Jesus has told us, a little while, and you will see me no longer and again a little while, and you will see me John 16:16.

In a little while.

The enemy knows his days are drawing to a close and oh how he is fighting. His tricks are not new. He has no new weaponry. He  is fighting for  hearts and souls by making that fruit look so good. He makes something that goes against the truth of God's Word look so easy and beautiful. He makes it feel so good and right. No temptation has over taken except what is common to man. 1 Cor. 10:13. The enemy knows, when sin is fully grown it brings forth death James 1:15. Death to the spirit. His elect, that have trusted in the Savior King, he will try to render us useless for the Kingdom of Heaven. The lies of shame and guilt and our pride, insecurities and selfishness can paralyze us. We can grow weak and weary. He will try to dismantle unity among believers any way he can to stop the Kingdom of Heaven. Dear ones, if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through His Spirit who lives in you. Rom. 8:11. The same Spirit of the living God that defeated death is in  us. Jesus said, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works that these will he do because I am going to the Father.... And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son John 14:12-13.  Would Jesus tell us we would do greater work if He could not do greater works? God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).  We live in Him by the power of  God. He sent us a helper, an advocate, a teacher, His power in the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of truth that the world does not accept, see Him or know Him, but Believer, you know Him. His Spirit testifies with your spirit that you are a child of God. Because He lives, we live and have direct access to the throne through Jesus our Lord. He wants people to come to know Him more and more.  He wants the church to glorify His Great Name. The perfect Lamb of God, while we were yet sinners, He died for us and on the third day was risen so that we could be with Him forever. Repentance and forgiveness of sins could now be proclaimed. If you know Jesus, you are a witness to the glorious grace. You are a witness to life in Christ.

In a little while, we will see Him.

Take it from a person who can sometimes feel the "in a little while" means I have to go save the world now. I have to change the world now. How He has taught me in His great mercy, our witness, ministry, impact,  is not the goal.  Christ is the goal. Our witness to this great grace is an outflow of our relationship with the Savior King. Ministry is received from The Lord, anything else will turn to ashes. Christ is the one we proclaim, for this I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works in me (Col. 1:39), How I wish I could grab your face and implore you to be consumed by Jesus. Let your hearts burn for Jesus, in His presence is fullness of joy. The only way to endure this world is eyes focused squarely on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Sink deep into the Word of God, keep His commandments to love Him and love each other, trust in the Holy Spirit to teach you and help you, seek the face of The Lord. Humbly ask Him to do great works in His Name, so that He may be glorified. Behold the beauty of The Lord. He did not go through crucifixion for us and triumph over the cross to get to us, in the place of us, so we would live in defeat, crushed under the weight and struggles in this world until He returns. Just as we receive Christ Jesus as Lord, we continue our lives in Him (Col 2:6). The Kingdom of God is at hand. He came so that we may have life and have it more abundantly as the message about Christ fills our lives. There is an army of The Lord already here. He is in you. Rise up. Keep rising.

In a little while, we will see Him.

 

He Makes A Way

God has surely been working on me on the inside this year. He has challenged me in what I say I believe about  Him verses the beliefs held in the depths of my heart. How can I tell people He is worthy of our trust and is a faithful Father if I question if He will be faithful to me?  I have seen His goodness and how He can bring beauty from ashes in the past, but how quickly I can forget His faithfulness. My life can display the lack of faith like the Israelites, who just experienced deliverance of captivity and saw mighty miracles by the hand of God, begin to grumble and complain against the God who saved them. Hebrews 4:1-2 says the redeemed Israelites gave up their promised land to wonder through the wilderness because "the word which they heard...[was not] mixed with faith," Jeremiah 17:23 says "Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck, that they might not hear and receive instruction."

How desperately I need The Lord's instruction.

I am thankful for a God who is not finished with me and He continues to carve away and working a new thing in my heart. There are times of darkness where I can't find the light and it feels like a wasteland. He really is there in every season of the soul, faithfully loving me, and He is teaching me to trust Him more.  In the unseen and times where I wonder if He is done with me, He makes a way.

"Behold I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up! Can you not perceive it? I am making a  way in the wilderness, and streams in the wasteland to give drink to my chosen people, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise." Isa 43:19-21

 



 

Where are  you chosen one? Maybe you are in your own desert places. He is a God who sees (Gen. 16:13)  and He rejoices over you with singing (Zep. 3:17) even when we cannot see it. He may be making a new thing in you.



The verse earlier on in Isaiah chapter 43:2 says ‘When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.’  It’s not  ‘if you pass through waters'  but ‘when’.  It will happen. You will go through difficult, dark times but He will be with you, making a way to the praise of His glory and grace.

And when we are brought out of the wilderness into the promised land, we are equipped to comfort others as we have been comforted (2 Cor 1:3-4) and strengthen our brothers (Luke 22:32). No dark night of soul is ever wasted in God's economy. “It is God who is at work in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” (Phil. 2:13,14)

 

I want to trust in His faithfulness even when I don't understand. I want to trust Him even when I cannot see. I want my life to line up with what I say I believe. I pray that for you too, chosen one. Let's lean in hard to the presence of God in this New Year. Let's give Him open ears and heart to hear Him teach us through His Word what it means to follow Him and trust Him with our lives. Let's give Him open eyes that we may see others around us in their own wasteland to remind them God has not forgotten them. He is still there during obstacles, emotional upheavals, loneliness and devastating circumstances. If everyone walks away in your life, He is there. He is there in your desert places even when those places last weeks or years. He is God in your wasteland and God in your promise land so that we may proclaim His praise.



The lyrics from 'Steady Heart' by Steffany Gretzinger

I can't see what's in front of me.
Still I will trust you.
Steady heart that keeps on going,
Steady love that keeps on holding,
Lead me on.
Steady grace that keeps forgiving,
Steady faith that keeps believing
Lead me on

Verse 2
Though the sky is dark,
And the wind is wild
You'll never leave me
Though the night is long
There is a coming dawn
The light is breaking

Verse 3
And as the dawn breaks
And the clouds clear
In an open space
Together we will run

 

Teach Us To Number Our Days

I am sick of what the Enemy is doing to steal the hearts and minds of young people. I am sick of looking at the news and seeing death and destruction. I am begging for His grace to live wisely and be about the things that are of first importance.  This is a spiritual war.  Do not be deceived. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11) Take up the shield of faith brothers and sisters. The Enemy wants to take you down and he wants to take me down but faith in Jesus Christ will extinguish all the flaming darts he has in his hand. Take up the helmet of Salvation and the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God. (Ephesians 6:17)  Our days have been numbered by the Lord. May He teach us to number our days and see the brevity of life and live in wisdom given by God in our days on this earth.



Two years ago, I remember having a conversation with a pastor and  we were discussing the readying of the people for persecution. It seemed that many anointed leaders in the Church were preparing the people for persecution. Sometimes like the weeping prophet, giving  a voice to something no one wants to hear and making the teacher look like an end time doomsday freak.

Friend, it is coming. So get ready. What you believe will be tested. It probably already has.

Persecution is rampant in our world. ISIS is after annihilation of anyone who does not abide to the caliphate and sharia law. Please hear me, annihilation. Then there is Boko Haram and other terror organizations. Increasingly, there is hatred of Christians in America.

Persecution of Christians is nothing new but what will be new will be with greater force and authority and hatred for that which we stand on by those in our own country. Increasingly, those under the Lordship of Jesus will live in opposition to our countries leaders. Our lives will be obviously against the cultural grain. We will increasingly be foreigners and exiles on this earth.  For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 3:20)  This push back against the culture will be labeled hatred and intolerant. If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:18-19) 

We are all sinners. We are all created in God's image. We are sinners by birth and by choice. We have fallen hearts and flesh turns toward sin, all kinds of sin. How do we know what sin is? The Bible, the revealed Word of God states it clearly. He would not leave us wondering what is good and bad and how we should live. We are called by God to turn away from sin and seek after Him. Why? He loves us. Heaven and hell are real and eternity is forever.  There is a way that seems right to man, but in the end is death. (Proverbs 14:12) What may be seen as our individual freedom will bring people into bondage of sin. For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)  Jesus says, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) His way is better.  The message is the same to all of us no matter what the sin is. Repent and believe the gospel. By grace we are saved through faith. How do we know about grace? The revealed Word of God. Don't celebrate sin, rationalize or justify it. Turn from sin and trust Him. Trust that Jesus is the Son of God who came into the world to save sinners. Sinners like me. He rose from the grave, defeating death, sin and hell so we could be with Him forever. God takes sin seriously. Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? ..but the life you live, live to God. So you must also consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6)  You can sow to your flesh or sow to the Spirit. You must choose one and fight the other. But fight! He is a gracious loving God and when we fall, the call is the same, repent, trust God, get back up and get in the fight.

I have wasted so much time living in the flesh. I don't have this thing figured out but I know that Jesus is life and I want to walk in knowledge and wisdom of The Lord. Each day is a struggle to "create in me a clean heart and renew an upright spirit within me."  I fail, sometimes in big ways, but by His grace, I ask to be used as a living sacrifice unto the Lord. Sometimes I think, how could He use someone who has denied Him and sinned against Him. But He picks me up, turns me around and places my feet on solid ground. His mercy is there waiting and He is teaching me what it means to follow Him. The same grace that taught my heart to fear and brought me safe thus far is the same grace that will lead me home.

This is a fight that is not easy. Salvation is a free gift. Living is a disciple of Jesus, it is costly. Then He said to them all, "If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. (Luke 9:23)

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:11-12)

The only thing that will carry us through this time, is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His revelation to us through the Truth of His Word. The grace that saves, is the grace that sustains. The grace that accepts you  just as you are, will not leave you as you are but will transform you from the inside out. That same grace will carry you when you face a decision and choose to obey God rather than men. The same grace through the power of the Holy Spirit will give you strength to speak the word with all boldness. It will be a fight but as the circumstances, temptations, persecutions, around us pull our eyes downward and the world grows increasingly dark, may we lift our eyes to the heavens, our help comes from the Lord. Encourage each other to Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (Romans 12:12)  

We are here, in this time and in this place to make Jesus known. We are here as the light in an increasingly dark world to point to the Savior King, Jesus Christ and His Kingdom that has no end. By His grace, may we do our part to push back the kingdom of darkness and be faithful to what He has entrusted us with and live as both salt and light to our families, workplaces and communities. God's purposes will prevail. All of history is moving to the day when Jesus returns. He is preparing His Bride. I don't want to live deceived and I don't want you to either. These are days of drawing near. "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your  hearts, you double-minded." James 4:8  Brothers and sisters, be ready. Jesus is King and will be worshipped. He is coming to judge the living and the dead. 

"I am coming soon. Hold on to to what you have so that no one will take your crown." Revelation 3:11

Partners In The Gospel

No man is an island. That's a saying you've probably heard before. We don't operate all alone. We bump into each other and yes, we even need each other. We were created with a need for community. Jesus Christ redeemed us for community into His own body. The body of Christ is to love, serve and give and make the gospel known.  Personally, we are hands and feet of Jesus as well as corporately. Community is the place where we experience transformation and sancification and share the Good News of the Gospel. That's the church's mission. To make Jesus Christ known among the nations as we grow in grace and knowledge of The Lord, together. 

I ran into a friend I haven't seen in awhile this evening. We reminisced about our time together in youth ministry. We both agreed, those were extraordinary days. God was at work in our lives and the lives of our students. We all rushed to get there on Wednesday evenings, excited and ready to see each other and the students. We laughed and cried together, danced together, served together, traveled together, encouraged and supported each other as well as held each other accountable and in love, pointed out when we were getting off track. We saw students come to know Jesus as Lord and grow in grace and knowledge. We saw the glory of The Lord and once you see His glory, you will long for it. It will keep you up at night and all you can think about and it's what you will want to talk about.

It was only by God's grace any of us were saved and were all surprised we were ministering to anyone. None of us had it all together and there was no need to try and pretend.  I can remember thinking, any moment now, a deacon would remove me from the youth room proclaiming me to be unworthy of serving. If they only knew what I have done in my life. But in Christ, I was made new, standing in His righteousness, an heir, adopted into the Kingdom. Life was not my own, it was now His. Together, we were seeking to know God more, experience Him and point students to the life in Christ we had received. Serving is an overflow of the grace and mercy shown to us through our Salvation. Any fruit was the result of who Christ is, not anything we did. We brought our gifts to the table, each serving in a very unique way. We were honest with our student's and each other about our lives and struggles and they loved and accepted us. It was far from perfect, we made many mistakes but we were partners in the Gospel. We were on mission and we mattered to each other.

God is still at work across the earth, drawing people to Him and transforming lives for His glory.
The mission goes on.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

There have been winning athletic teams and work projects that have brought success and created community but there is no comparison in partnering in the gospel. For we are co- workers in God's service; you are God's field, God's building. 1 Corinthians 3:9  Paul has been credited with writing 13 books of the Bible but he was not alone. Many times his partners in the gospel were transcribing for him. He mentioned many people throughout the Scriptures who were serving beside him or that he was encouraging in their service. Philippians 1:3-6, Paul states, "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." 

Every day I talk to many faithful servants who are all in for the Kingdom of Heaven. Partners in The Gospel encourage one another even more as the day approaches as the Spirit continues to purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. To those partners in the Gospel, YOU ARE NOT ALONE and you matter to Christ and you matter to me. Keep running the race and fight the good fight of faith. Jesus is worthy.

 "It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus And this is may prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ- to the glory and praise of God."  
Philippians 1:7-11

A Call To Pray For God's People. The Church

John 17:6-19
⁶ I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. ⁷ Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. ⁸ For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. ⁹ I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. ¹⁰ All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. ¹¹ And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. ¹² While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. ¹³ But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. ¹⁴ I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁵ I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁷ Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸ As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. ¹⁹ And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

 

 

Sovereign God, we are your people, the church. You have redeemed us. You choose us.  Our lives or not our own, they have been bought by the blood of Jesus Christ. You have saved us by grace through faith, not of works, We are your workmanship and you have ordained good works for us to walk in them and experience the fullness of your joy . Help us ,oh God, to walk in them as the Bride of Christ.

God humble us and break us so you can mold us, fill us and use us.

God free us from habits of self preservation  and going through the same motions.  Free us in our churches to humbly receive your Word. Free us to sing and make music to you from our hearts. Free us to be open to whatever you want to do in our midst. Father we repent today. We repent for playing church, We repent of the lack of affection for you and your people. We repent of  the sin of racism. Free us from racial division in  the church.  Father break down these divisions of white, black, latino so that our identity is solely in Christ, not the color of our skin. And we see each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, created in the image of God.

Forgive us for tearing each other down, comparing and competiveness. Forgive us for wasting moments and money on things that do not matter for eternity. Forgive us father for being preoccupied with our own agenda rather than matters of justice, mercy and faithfulness. Forgive us for being about every other thing but the mission you gave us, to make disciples of all nations. Forgive us for being more preoccupied with programming, buildings and budgets than your beauty. Forgive us when our committee meetings out number our prayer meetings.  Forgive us for our unbelief. Forgive us for exchanging the truth of God for a lie.

Father, I give up. I surrender myself  to you. You are more beautiful than any other pursuit.  Forgive me, Father, I have sinned against you and you alone. You are a good, good Father. Restore to me and to your church the joy of our Salvation. Restore our love relationship with you. Return us to our first love. I am asking you, to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine through your church. May the church be a redemptive presence in the culture. Open doors that no one can shut. Father it is not my church, it is your church. You build your church in broken places to bring your Salvation, healing and deliverance. Jesus you are the builder of ancient ruins, the repairer of broken walls, and the restorer of streets.

Father, I pray for the persecuted church throughout the world. Grant grace and peace and your Holy Spirit protection especially for the children. The children, O God. How long o lord. Have mercy O Lord.

Sprit of the living God, fall fresh on us, fall fresh on me. Humble us and center us on Jesus and the truth of your word that is the same yesterday today and forever. Jesus, you are who you say you are and you are still doing what you said you would do. You are making all things new. With the power of the gospel – send your church out for the work of your kingdom wherever  we are, in this community, your cities and among the nations. Empower us with your Holy Spirit to do your will as we partner with your heart. Father, by your grace and for your glory, revive us, transform us and free us for your  purposes.  May the church rise up and takes it’s place as we look for the day you return to gather your people  to reign with you forever.  You are already  victorious. You have already overcome the grave.  Help us fight not for victory but from victory.  Deepen and strengthen our faith in you  Jesus. Help us remain steadfast in the truth of your word. We pray that Jesus is high and lifted up in your church. We exalt your name Jesus. You are worthy.

Pray for the persecuted church.  As the church, the body of Christ, He has sent us out into the world. Pray for specific names of people that He has sent you to point them to Jesus.

Hope That Disappoints

The Wikipedia definition of  Hope is an optimistic attitude of mind based on an expectation of positive outcomes related to events and circumstances in one's life or the world at large. As a verb, its definitions include: "expect with confidence" and "to cherish a desire with anticipation"  There are many references to hope in the Bible. The Greek and Hebrew words translated to hope can also be translated in some instances as trust, assurance, confidence.

Have you ever prayed for something so hard and it didn't turn out the way you had hoped? Ever hoped and hoped with great anticipation but nothing? Ever had something happen in your life that left you in despair and feeling hopeless?

My girls arrived several weeks early through much prayer by friends, family and even strangers and care by the wonderful doctors. I should have been grateful after my initial visits with a different group of doctors had recommended I terminate Baby B, now known as Hannah. After a week of being in the hospital before delivery to develop their little lungs, I was tired of all the attention. Nurses in and out constantly, all hours, poking and prodding and I really missed my 4 year old boy at home. I had tremendous mommy guilt from leaving him. I was told when I left to go to the hospital, he pulled a chair up to look out the front door and said, "I'll just wait right here for mommy." I was ready to go home. Let's get these babies out. Hannah had much difficulty breathing and was placed on a ventilator for several days. I could not see them for a day and then wasn't able to hold them for a week. I was completely unprepared for the amount of tubes, lines and alarms. And I'm a nurse!  They brought in paper work to sign for a PICC line, a catheter to run in Hannah's vein from her leg to near her heart. A common procedure for preemies. But nurses know too much. I vividly remember leaving the hospital without my babies.  Sitting in the wheelchair while my husband got the car and as I waited, a smiling mom with her baby was wheeled beside of me. That is not fair, I thought. I was pretty mad at the person I had been praying to for so long. You were supposed to come through. I hoped for two healthy babies to be in my arms already. We left the hospital and I noticed the seasons had changed in the week and a half in the hospital. Spring had come and the Bradford pear trees lining the street were in full bloom. The sky was blue and the sun that seemed like forever since I had felt, was warm.  God's grace. He was still in control. I knew that somewhere deep but in that moment, I didn't want to talk to Him. A friend drove me to the hospital the next day to see my babies as I still couldn't drive and she said, "I've been praying for Sarah and Hannah." I said, "Good, because I can't."

I was disappointed in hope.

At 2 AM, I called my friend while sitting in her driveway. Overcome with emotion of a marriage I thought was over. She brought me in, got me some coffee a box of tissues and  listened to the whole ordeal and said,
"Let's pray."
Bless her heart.
I replied, "I don't want to pray."
"I'll pray." she said.
"No thanks." I replied, " I am done.
I am the children's church director. I teach Sunday School. I am supermom. I workout. Cook supper. Really? This is not how it's supposed to be. This is what happens. I. Am. Done. I am going back to doing whatever I want to do. And that includes a few margaritas and a couple shots with a friend. So goodbye, but can I come back and sleep on your couch?"

I was disappointed in hope.

Thank you Jesus for intercessors in the body of Christ who don't listen. My friends prayed and kept praying when I could not or would not.

"Where then is my hope? Who will see my hope?" Job 17:15

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1-5

Our hope can rest in Christ, in His glory and His love of me.  He promised that those with faith in Christ by grace will be glorified and perfected on the day He returns. Through the Holy Spirit working in my heart, I discovered that He was with me, that He saw me, that He loved me and I fell completely in love with Him.

Suffering, is difficult to explain and even harder to understand. Imagine as a child having severe trauma occur in your life and being taught, God allowed this to happen. How disappointed in hope and in God would that child be?  God "allowing" something terrible to happen does not mean it is His desire to have children or anyone to experience trauma. God is certainly soverign over all. He is not shocked by what takes place and it is not an interruption to His eternal plan. Everything that touches us comes through His hands. But God is not the author of confusion. (1Corinthians 14:33)  He is not the author of evil. God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. (1John 1:5)  It was not His desire for man to leave the Garden of Eden, but Adam and Eve made the choice to sin. God has no part with evil. He has no part with sin. God gives us all a choice to choose life  or to choose death and desires for us all to choose Him.  No wonder we have trouble hoping in God’s unfailing love when we are confused by man's choice of sin. How many times have we wondered why in the world Adam ate the fruit. Why did God "allow" that to happen? God doesn't want puppets that are made to love Him. We are given a choice. He loves us first. Sometimes sufferings happen because of our choices, sometimes they happen because of our sin or the sin of others, sometimes they just plain happen for no explainable reason at all. We live in a fallen world where horrendous things happen. No reason, it just happens and it's terrible and we can make no sense of it. None.

John Calvin  stated it this way,
"...the Lord had declared that "everything that He had made...was exceedingly good." (Gen 1:31). Whence then comes this wickedness to man, that he should fall away from his God? Lest we should think it comes from creation, God had put His stamp of approval on what had come forth from Himself. By his own evil intention, then, man corrupted the pure nature he had received from the Lord; and by his fall drew all his posterity with him into destruction. Accordingly, we should contemplate the evident cause of condemnation in the corrupt nature of humanity-rather than seek a hidden and utterly incomprehensible cause in God's predestination."

Sometimes there is just no reason other than the fall of humanity and sin entering the universe. But then we choose to hope in His glory because we have received God's love and His promise that we stand firm and safe through eternity. We have that peace. Pardoned offenders covered by the blood of Jesus we can rest in His sweet amazing grace. A life of security knowing, "when justice called for all our debts, a friend of sinners came instead." As believers who experience trials, we can grow so much spiritually, we can look for more spiritual benefit in trials to come. I have no desire for trials to arrive in my life or in your life. Maybe you are at the point that you can rejoice in trials. I have not yet arrived, pray for me. But one thing I do know is that  His grace can work in and with the trials and bring us to our feet to stand and truly all things can work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)  That verse use to make me cringe because surely some things just don't work for good. There is just no way. But God can turn ashes into beauty. (Isaiah 61:3) He is still able and working in all things for His glory and good pleasure and our good. His purposes will be accomplished. (Isaiah 4:9-10)  Redemption may not fully take place until we see glory but glory we will see! Remind each other of the gift of grace. Remind each other of hope. Remind each other we don't have to understand it all and He can take our brokenness. He is with us. Our weakness thrown into His greatness. Through laughter, tears, joy and heartache, we are reminded as people of God, the promise of His love, mercy, everlasting kindness, His grace and His hope. Our standing before Christ is secure.

That is hope that will not disappoint.

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31

Surely He Is Coming Soon

I'm always uncertain when hit publish if I should really hit publish. I write a lot and some things are just between me and God and some things I share with  me and the 2 people who may read this place on the Internet. Nevertheless, whether this blog is more for me or to serve someone, I will continue to write as things stir in my heart. I could be talking to myself but  maybe just maybe, someone else is listening and will be blessed or changed or inspired or challenged. Or, it could be to change me.

All the many global events of late have me searching the Scriptures for a word from the God of the universe. Who is like my God? He created the Heavens and the earth, tells the sun when to rise. He makes the mountains stand. The Lord is high above the nations. He puts rulers in their place. His greatness is unsearchable. Who am I that He should care for me? I am like dust, but a puff of smoke, my life stands as a mere breath. Here and gone. I most certainly am often jacked, poor and needy and yet, His love is relentless. Who is this King of glory? He thinks of me. He knew me before I was born and numbers the very hairs on my head.  He pursues with His unfailing love. He sees everything I do and every step I take. Nothing is hidden from Him. He knows the depths of my heart. He knows me more than I know me. Again, I remind you that I have been jacked up, and yet, His mercy remains. His steadfast love endures forever. Surely goodness and mercy follow me, all the days of my life.

He is coming for me. I don't know when but He is coming. We see Scripture from Matthew 24, 2 Timothy 3, 2Peter 2, Zechariah 9 and Daniel 2, 7, 12, unfold before us. I cannot help but look for Him. That day when He says, "Come." That day when we see His face and night will be no more. That day when saints will be throwing crowns singing, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things and by your will they existed and were created." Rev 4:11

That moment when His eyes like blazing fire meet mine, how will He see me?

Faultless.

Just typing those words make tears come to my eyes. After the many times I denied Him like Peter, spit upon Him like the crowd, was an adulterer like the woman brought to His feet, abandoned His work like Mark, a betrayer like Judas, His kindness brings me to repentance. If  He counted my sins, I could not stand but in Him is forgiveness and life eternal. He died  to rescue me. He did not abandon me when I did not call Him Lord. He loves me with an everlasting love. Covered in His righteousness He will see me as blameless. This compels me to worship His Great Name.  For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. He is worthy of all praise.

How can I not live for Him? His life for my life.  The same mercy and grace given to me  is available to everyone who calls  upon the Name of the Lord. "For this is the will of my Father that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." (John 6:40)

How great is His love. Never changing. Never wavering. Never tiring. Never failing. The great love that saves and redeems.

In these days there is a call to persevere. Hold on to the testimony of Jesus Christ.  Believer, we have read the end of the Book. We know how it ends.

Because of that, Believer, pray. Pray like you never have. If you don't know the words to pray, groan with the Spirit as He prays to our Father for His will to be done.  As Daniel prayed, "O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for you own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name." Daniel 9:18-19

Surely, He is coming soon.