Hope in Suffering

"...And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; character, hope."
— Romans 5:2-4 (NIV)

Suffering is never easy. No one will ever raise their hand when it comes time to suffer... but suffering, at any level, brings you straight into the arms of Jesus, right under the nose of your Creator.

At first we may lack the tools needed to persevere, and that is a good thing -- if we had the tools, it wouldn't be called suffering, and we'd miss out on the calling to grow deeper with Christ.

It's in this weakness, that we are made strong -- that the power of God will move through our lives.

"But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
— 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Don't hide what you feel from Jesus. He already knows what you think and sees what you're going through. Be raw, and be real. He will meet you with His loving grace and be your ever-present help in your time of need. (Psalm 46:1)

"Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
— 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

by Katie Armstrong 

Abundance

Abundance

Just as God gathers the leftovers of our brokenness and uses it according to His Purpose, He desires also that we gather the fragments of His Blessings in our lives.

He wants us to understand and utilize ALL He has given us, not just the bigger and more obvious blessings.

In the process of gathering together all the pieces of His Grace in our lives, we develop a greater spiritual understanding and appreciation of Him and depths of His Love for us...we see more fully the evidence of Who He IS and what He has done for us...both in the broad significance and in all the little things as well...

In our gratitude, we become more intimate with Him and find more ways to praise Him....for the FULL measure of our abun dance in Him...

"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." (2 Corinthians 9:15)

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

"This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)

"...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)

Don't Look Back

Don't Look Back

Satan likes to utilize our past to fill us with pain, regret, fear, anger, hostility, shame, doubt and guilt...all in an effort to rob us of our joy and peace in the present.

Even more dangerous, the enemy can glamorize the past in a way that makes us love, lust or long for our old lives. This is a dangerous, slippery slope! Remember Lot's wife!

In contrast, God would have us give praise, honor and glory to Him for all the ways He has redeemed, renewed and restored our lives. The past, along with the present and future, belong to Him.

We are to honor Him by surrendering the past to Him...partner with Him...trust and obey Him to make all things new...praise Him for all He has done and will continue to do. Give Him all the glory for how He made it possible for us to come to Him, receive His Grace...covered, sanctified and reconciled by The Blood of The Lamb...transformed and regenerated by The Holy Spirit.

There is no place in the present or our future for anything old, as we are a new creation...kin with Christ...citizens of Heaven. Our past is our biggest indicator of how desperately we need our Savior!

If there is anything useful from our dark, dreary and broken-down past, God can and will transform it into something beautiful, all according to His Will and all for His Marvelous Glory...

Just don't look back.

"Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:19)

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)

Truth and Mercy

Truth and Mercy

May our hearts be softened to receive and reciprocate the Mercy and Truth of The Gospel of Christ.

For, when we allow this to be written in our hearts - truly receiving what He has so freely given to us - we will extend this same mercy, kindness, forgiveness, help, compassion and love to others.

When we cling to and walk sincerely and diligently in His Truth and Love, our lamps burn bright to God's hurting children, that they might also be led to His Truth and find comfort in the Arms of Abba Father.

It is, after all, the way of Christ...for He is steadfast in His Love, Grace and Mercy towards us...forevermore.

"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1:17)

"Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail." (Psalm 89:33)

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Revealed

Father God,

We thank You for giving us eyes that see and ears that hear the deep things revealed only by You through The Holy Spirit.

We seek You and only You.

We need You, Lord God, today and everyday.

We pray that You will meet us where we are today and fill in the gap where we fall short of Your Glory...show us what You have for us in this day...give us the discernment we need not just to receive Your blessings, but to also be a blessing to others.

Thank You for revealing Your Marvelous Mystery to us...we pray that You would fill us with the full measure of The Fruits of Your Holy Spirit, according to Your Will...all for Your Glory.

In Jesus Christ's Precious, Holy and Righteous Name,

Amen.

Be Still

Be Still...

“In the rush and noise of life, as you have intervals, step home within yourselves and be still. Wait upon God, and feel His good presence; this will carry you evenly through your day’s business.”       ~William Penn~

Take time today to enjoy the gift of resting in His presence and experience His everlasting, incomprehensible peace...

Tune down the distractions, remove the clutter...get quiet with Almighty God and allow Him to refresh, renew, restore and recharge your mind, body and spirit.

As you approach His Throne, focus on Who He Is...the beauty of Christ and His precious gift to you, that you might be able to come before The Lord and rest with Him...

Hear His voice...surrender to Him, feel His strength, His protection, His love...His perfect peace...just

Be still...

"Be still, and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10)

Preserved by His Promises

Preserved by His Promises

Let us rejoice in His unfailing love and everlasting promises!

In Him alone is our hope, peace, joy and salvation!

Let us cling to and find preservation and peace in His infallible Word and His unparalleled promises...

"My comfort in my suffering is this:
 your promise preserves my life." (Psalm 119:50)

"And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." (Luke 11:9-10)

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8:36)

"How excellent is thy loving kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings." (Psalm 36:7)

"And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." (Isaiah 65:24)