Jesus had no pointing finger—only arms stretched wide.
In silence.
Yielded.
His love letter to each of us was written with blood.
He rose from the dead. Ever-living.
In believing, we receive . . .
sight, salvation, freedom. Light. Hope.
Eternal life is given.
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art; Thou my best Thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Dear Lord, we remind ourselves today Your never changing Good News.
I Am the LORD, I “will fight for you; you need only be still,”Exodus 14:14.
I Am the LORD, I “give strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak,” Isaiah 40:29.
I Am the LORD, those who “hope in Me will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint,” Isaiah 40:31.
I Am the LORD, “So do not fear, for I am with you,” Isaiah 41:10.
Our Father in heaven, holy is Your name. We choose You, we are Your sons and daughters.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word; I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord; Thou my great Father, I Thy true son; Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Remind us. Holy Spirit imprint on our minds, a picture of Jesus and His nail-pierced hands reaching out for each and every one of our sins.
For the sins of the entire world . . .
You willingly paid.
Give us the ears to hear Your words, throughout our day “Follow Me.”
And we respond, “I will follow You.”
We wait with great expectancy . . .
We choose to worship You now, and watch our anxieties flee. We choose to worship You Jesus, Be Thou our Vision. Restore Peace to our restless hearts.
Let us exalt the Lord as we take time to meditate and speak:
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight; Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight; Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tow’r: Raise Thou me heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r.
If I lose the world, but have You, I have the King of Heaven as my friend. No one can take that away. You are an ever-lasting love and hope.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise, Thou mine Inheritance, now and always: Thou and Thou only, first in my heart, High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won, May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n’s Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all. Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all. Be Thou My Vision, Irish Hymn, c.8th Century
Do you feel desperate to meet with the Lord in your brokenness and pain? God meets you at His seat of mercy. Jesus says, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.”
Not at the door.
Not at the altar.
If God met me at the door first, it wold be about me, being there.
If God met me at the altar first, it would be about me, and my offering.
God meets us in all our failures and brokenness at the mercy seat.
A pattern’s given. The words are written. The plans are drawn up. “Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them.” (1)
God desired to dwell with His people. He asked them to construct a place of refuge and safety:
According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it. (2)
God gave instructions to build His place to dwell. First in importance was the ark of the covenant: And they shall make an arkof acacia wood; . . . (3)
God gave pattern with exact measure and size: And you shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and shall make on it a molding of gold all around . . . (4)
Make an ark out of a dessert wood. A wood when punctured, oozes out a sap that heals wounds. Overlay it with pure gold, inside and out and then give it a crown molding all around.
Does this description remind us of anything?
God continues His meticulous instructions:
And you shall put into the ark the Testimony which I will give you. (5)
The 10 commandments, written by the finger of God, given to Moses for His children to know. They were put in the box made of wood, overlaid with gold.
Inside this ark, the 10 commandments reside.
Jesus, Himself was the only Man able to keep all these commandments, never a spot or miss. Only Jesus.
Next, God proclaims:
You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; . . . (6)
With golden cherub and wings stretched out to meet, God proclaims the pattern concerning His mercy seat, You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you. (7)
So we have a picture clear in our mind. The box made of wood, covered with pure gold, and inside are the 10 commandments. And God says, And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony . . .
The seat of mercy sits atop the ark. Covering the Commandments kept inside the box overlaid in pure gold.
“This is where I will meet.” God tells us all.
Who is listening to these gracious words of mercy?
A story is told in 1 Samuel, chapter 6, of this ark being captured by the Philistines. It was set near their god named Dagon that day. Well, the next morning, their god Dagon, was flat on his face.
Lifted again by Philistine people, only to find next morning Dagon had fallen, again. But now with broken neck and hands.
“Let’s get rid of this ark and send it back home,” the Philistines said.
The Israelites were delighted when the ark was returned.
But something happened that day, it’s recorded, in all the excitement, they took the liberties that day, to lift the mercy seat and uncover the Law.
Fifty thousand and seventy people died that day. The mercy seat was lifted off the ark covering the commandments.
What was God saying? What was the message that day?
What is mercy anyway?
MER’CY, n. [L. misericordia.]
1. That benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves;
the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forbear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant.
2.Mercy is a distinguishing attribute of the Supreme Being.
God meets us at His seat of mercy.
Jesus became a man, yet He was God come down. Pure and Holy.
He was pierced for our transgressions. His blood that poured out brings healing to our souls.
He paid our debt, that we might receive His undeserved favor.
He meets us first, not at the door. Nor at the altar. Jesus meets us at His mercy seat.
And great warning comes to us who try to lift the mercy seat. God wants us to be Holy and gracious and compassionate, He is just.
The picture’s complete.
Jesus’ love covers me.
Because of His love, I desire to open my heart’s door. Because of His love, I offer Him, . . .
my life.
The Lord is long-suffering and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty. Num 14.
__________________________ “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with you God?” (Micah 6:8).
In the Bible, the children of Israel found themselves in the wilderness because of unbelief, and the Lord rained down Manna every morning to provide food. “What is it?” they asked.
That’s the definition of Manna, food from heaven, God’s holy Bread.
The Bible? “What is it?” Many don’t know it’s a Book unlike all books. It’s Holy. It’s Supernatural.
Manna Notebook Pages for Families is a tool to help families build a foundation of God’s Way and Truth written by chosen men of God through a period of 1600 years, inspired by His Holy Spirit, to bring God’s message to man-kind.
Where’s the Manna? It’s in God’s Word! Enjoy the feast each day.
Mrs. Toni
tonirypkema.com
“What’s so great about the Bible?” Some may ask.
There are many skeptics these days, but some have never heard the Bible or opened it’s pages for themselves.
Like the manna pictured above, the Bible can look very boring. But God’s Holy Word is unlike any other book in the entire world.
The pages of the Bible are living, powerful, and are from the Lord to us!
So, first we will pray: “Dear Lord, we ask that You will help us have ears to hear You speak to us today form Your Word, and a heart soft to receive what You have for us, and courage to share what we learn with others, In Jesus name, Amen.”
The Bible is the greatest Book in all the world. It’s sixty-six Books with one theme: The Revelation of Jesus Christ from the beginning to the end.
“Does it always have to be about Jesus?” some might ask.
Good question, let’s look at what Jesus said of Himself at the end of the Book:
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End Revelation 22:13.
The Bible tells us,
The Son (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation Colossians 1:15. Stop and read that again, it’s so powerful.
Colossians continues, “For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.”
This is a lot to take in. Without faith, we can’t believe.
“What’s faith?” you might ask.
Faith is believing all God says about Himself and about man-kind.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him Hebrews 11:6.
Do we believe God exists? Do we believe his Word is His Truth to us?
The writer of the Book of Job from the Bible said, I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread Job 23;12.
Job stayed close to the Word of God. Job suffered great loss, of family and health. And more than necessary food, was the Word to him.
Many of us love our food and snacks. We taste a snack and we want more and more. Well, the Word of God, once its tasted, and the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to its wonder, and we receive His power in our hearts to understand, God’s Word becomes more wonderful each day!
Do you want to have faith as Job? If yes, God doesn’t guarantee that hard days won’t come, but He guarantees, to be with us through everything.
For He hath said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee Hebrews 13:5.
The Holy Bible is God’s promises & instruction for us and complete reward: Jesus Christ.
“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him—
these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit 1 Corinthians 2:9,10.
Do you believe God? Pray, (talk to God) in your own words and tell Him your thoughts.
Here’s a Scriptures Song to help understand faith and God’s ways: Hebrews 11:6 & Isaiah 55: 6, 8,9.
There are so many books. And, oh, how we love stories.
Some books are imagined from the mind or fiction, like Amelia Bedelia or Star Trek. And some stories are true experiences written down. Books about sports players, or plants, people, etc.
We give books and stories time and attention each day.
But Manna Notebook Time is Treasure Time. We discussed on our first page, it takes faith to believe the Holy Book,
But the Bible is also called the Good News, and it tells us that
. . . faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God Romans 10:18.
So today we will hear from the Book of Beginnings, Genesis, God’s account of how everything began. What an amazing story it is, from the Amplified Bible:
In the beginning God (Elohim) created [by forming from nothing] the heavens and the earth.
The earth was formless and void or a waste and emptiness, and darkness was upon the face of the deep [primeval ocean that covered the unformed earth].
The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters.
And God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.
God saw that the light was good (pleasing, useful) and
He affirmed and sustained it; and God separated the light [distinguishing it] from the darkness.
And God called the light day, and the darkness He called night.
And there was evening and there was morning, one day Genesis 1:1-5.
The Spirit of God hovered over the dark and empty void of earth. God the Father breathed the Word, “Light.” And at 186,000 miles per second light moved in glory.
God the Father, God the Son, God the Spirit, three in one. The Trinity in the first 5 verses of the Bible. This is powerful.
“In the beginning”, is the element of time. “God created the heavens . . . ” the element of space. “And the earth,” the element of matter. Time, space, matter, three properties of the Universe all created by Elohim, Creator God.
Yes, this takes faith to believe, but with a humble heart and open mind, ask God, “Is this true?”
What does the Bible say?
The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting Psalm 119:160.
We have choice to believe. God gave us this! We have the ability to discover the mysteries and ask God Himself the questions. What did Jesus say about light?
Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” John 8:12.
The Book of John, chapter 1 says of Jesus,
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it John 1:4,5.
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him John 1:9-11.
What happens to those who believe? And those that don’t?
For those who believe, we have fellowship. Closeness to God for all eternity. Through faith in Jesus, God’s Son, we have access to the Prince of Peace, each moment of the present day.
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—John 1:12.
Not believe? What are the consequences?
Separation from God for all eternity: They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might 2 Thessalonians 1:9.
Take time to be with the Lord and talk to Him about your choice. If you believe, thank Him for making you new, ask Him to come live in your heart, and show You His ways of light and life! He hears your heart.
Here’s a Scripture song to help you think on God’s Good News, John 1:12 & 2 Corinthians 5:17.
John 1:12/2Corinthians 5:17 featuring Kanagy GirlsIf we walk in the light as He is in the light we’ll have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from every sin. 1John 1:7.
The holy Scriptures . . . they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15.
Talk to someone about your choice to accept Jesus and believe in His love and light for your life.
Amen! Sing a new God song: John 1:12, 2 Corinthians 5:17.
What’s the Manna #3
God’s Word, God’s account on how the beginnings occurred, (as well as many other events in the past which help us humans understand the events of today), has been considered “Religion.” Because it requires faith to believe.
Now, we must understand that man’s account of beginnings requires “belief” as well, because mankind was not present for observable science. This is called Historical Science. This requires belief.
toniryp.com
Many people don’t know what God’s account is.
What’s the Manna? “What is it?”
The Bible is God’s holy Word.
“In the beginning . . . ” I share my Creation Song as well as the first chapter of Genesis for those hungry for a manna meal:
Art by Andrea Colt
The History of Creation
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.
6 Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” 7 Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day.
9 Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. 10 And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good.
11 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 13 So the evening and the morning were the third day.
14 Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; 15 and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so. 16 Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. 17 God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 So the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
20 Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.” 21 So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
24 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind”; and it was so. 25 And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
29 And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. 30 Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so. 31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Genesis 1.
When the picture is dim. Futures look foggy. The ways of man seem right in their own eyes. (Proverbs 14:12).
God’s Holy Word stands alone, unchanged. (Numbers 23:19).
What do we do?
Do we open His pages?
Do we call on His name? (Romans 10:13).
Do we believe He’s faithful? (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
Do we thank Him? Do we give Him praise? (Psalm 148: 13).
Do we have comprehension? (Ephesians 1:13-15).
Are we growing in grace and the knowledge of Him? (2 Peter 3:18).
Who is the Lord? And what is His name? (Exodus 15:3).
His name is Jesus. There is none greater. There is salvation in none other. (Acts 4:12).
He was, and is, and will always be. (Isaiah 43: 13-25).
There will be a day when all will eyes see. (Philippians 2).
He alone is in control. He is before all things. (Colossians 1:17).
He’s coming again. (Matthew 24:44).
All eyes will behold, every knee will bow. (Romans 14:11).
God hates lies. God hates evil. (Proverbs 6:16-19, Amos 5:15).
The enemy of God is the father of lies. (John 8:44).
Satan comes to deceive and accuse. (Luke 22:31).
Satan seeks to destroy . . . me and you. (John 10:10).
As Moses in the wilderness with a multitude of faithless complainers, against God and His ways. Serpents were sent among all the people.
The serpents bit. People were afraid.(Numbers 21:4-8).
What happened next?
God instructed Moses. Make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole. Lift it in the camp. All who look on the bronze serpent will be healed.
What will we choose? Do we look up? Do we look away?
Do we bow today?
Or do we wait for some other day?
His Word is Love. (1Corinthians 13).
What do we believe?
This is a life or death question. What answer does the Bible give:
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. (John 3:14-21).
What is sweeter than the grace of God?
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory! Ephesians 1:13-15, emphasis mine.
If you want to receive Jesus in your life. Simply bow your head and heart and ask His forgiveness for sin. He washes all the past shame and sin away. Then ask Him to fill you with His love. He will flood your heart with His sweet love. Accept His love and forgiveness and ask Him for the Holy Spirit to help you to grow in His grace and knowledge. He is faithful. he will surely do it!
Then tell someone. Tell the whole world that you are a new creation in Christ. And find other believers to grow with in a Bible teaching church.
Rejoice in Him. Worship Him. He alone is able to accomplish all that concerns all who seek Him, today.
Christians must know the LORD and His Word more and more. We must Know HIM to have armor to stand against the schemes of the enemy, and having done all, to stand!
Read the Warnings. God has spoken:
“Don’t be misled;
remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it:
a man will always reap just the kind of crop he sows!
If he sows to please his own wrong desires, he will be planting seeds of evil and he will surely reap a harvest of spiritual decay and death;
but if he plants the good things of the Spirit, he will reap the everlasting life that the Holy Spirit gives him.
And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up” (Galatians 6:7-9).
As Christians, when we’re confronted with a pointed finger telling us we are oppressors, arrogant, ignorant, and defensive because of our faith in the Holy Word of God, we must stand our ground, in love (as the Lord gives us His Spirit, as we continue to walk in His grace and power),
and we must speak our heart’s desire: To please the Lord and to obey His Holy Word. What does God’s Word say?
“Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many” Hebrews 12:13-15.
Also, this is the heart of the Christ follower,
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord” Romans 12: 17-19.
And in this day of debt-free living, as believers in the risen Lord, we are exhorted:
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
(The Day Is Near) And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh” Romans 13:8-14.
Thus saith the LORD.
“Today.”
“Today.”
Can we hear the warnings and instruction from the Lord and walk in it?
“Dear Lord, help Your people, God’s people, red, brown, yellow, black, and white, they are precious in Your sight, fill us with Your Spirit that we might glorify You in this noisy, dark world. In Jesus name. Amen”
It’s not easy to get all the Ryps together these days, but we were all together in 2018. We’ve grown, changed, experienced great challenges in each of our lives, (as has everyone in the entire world).
We’ve added two amazing grandchildren to our number to bring unimaginable joy to all of us.
We are family.
The Ryps. Nick & Mandy. Carolyn & Patrick. Anneliese, Emily, Jared & Anastasia, Dave, Toni & Mike, Liz, Grace, Chris, Matthew, and Jonathan, (bottom).
And Christmas 2019:
Picture from Christmas 2019. Toni, Mike, Chris, Anneliese, Carolyn & Patrick, Liz, Matthew, Jonathan, Emily, baby Reese, Sarah, Dave, Grace, Anastasia & Jared, baby Emeril, minus Nick and Mandy.
This mom and dad are little in this world. But, we trusted God in the beginning, 35 years ago and continue to trust Him now.
Our testimony has moments of faltered faith through many battles, but God in His grace and compassion always remained and remains faithful. We believe God’s Word:
Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the Lord to you, “Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15.
We love family pictures because they proclaim the victory and goodness of God: Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness Exodus 34: 6.
Trusting the Lord with our family was an unpopular thought, even back in the day, when our marriage began in 1986. To many it speaks of irresponsible behavior. “Get Mike a TV!” We would often hear as a joke, even amongst believers.
Each child was the Lord’s precious plan. God knew that Mike and I weren’t able, but “in Him,” all things are possible. Mike and I covenanted in marriage and in heart to the Lord. We were to trust Him, no matter what.
We didn’t want to be everything to our children, we wanted them to know Jesus, He is everything! We taught them in God’s Word and His way, and do our best to live as witnesses to His faithfulness each day:
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” Joshua 1:7-9.
Don’t we remind ourselves and live this as a testimony to our families?
Mike and I failed often, but God never did.
We were weak, but He had a hold of us: for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’Acts 17:8.
We’ve been through “better and worse, richer and poorer, sickness and health,” and we will see our marriage “’till death do us part.”
Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Corinthians 15:57.
We will sing today as in the beginning, “In our lives Lord, be glorified, be glorified, today.”
Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others . . . If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5: 11, 13, 14, 15.
Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His Word; Just to rest upon His promise, Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord!
“Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er; Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
Family.
Beautiful messes.
Each brings witness to God’s gracious message, “I loved you first,” love Jesus.
“Give us all a genuine encounter with You, dear Lord. That we might view our world through Your eyes. Help us not miss the glorious and precious. In Jesus’ name. Amen.“
The Word of God. Hymns. Music Therapy. God’s help and comfort for us right NOW.
In a shattered world, where do we find real, living, powerful, present comfort? The Bible tells us in Psalm 119, our comfort comes from the Word of life.
When we have no words to pray, Psalm 119 provides the prayers:
Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word. Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law. I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me. My soul breaks with longing For Your judgments at all times. You rebuke the proud—the cursed, Who stray from Your commandments. Remove from me reproach and contempt, For I have kept Your testimonies. Princes also sit and speak against me, But Your servant meditates on Your statutes. Your testimonies also are my delight And my counselors Psalm 119:17-24.
Yes, God is not silent. He speaks. His Word shows us the way.
Do we desire to be children of light in a dark place? What do we do?
Now is time to speak aloud truth. The Bible says, “Thy Word is truth,” John 17:17. We either believe this or not. God gives us choice. He sees each man’s heart, even if mankind thinks he’s his own person not needing Jesus.
Who is born of God? Those who believe in His name. What can we proclaim as true about Him regarding our lives today? Speak aloud Be Still My Soul by Kathrina von Schlegel:
Be Still my Soul, the Lord is on thy side. Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. Leave to thy God to order and provide,
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still my soul, thy best and heavenly friend, Through thorny ways, leads to a joyful end . . . Be Still My Soul
Be still, my soul! for God will undertake to guide the future surely as the past. Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake; all now mysterious shall be bright at last. Be still, my soul! the waves and winds still know the voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Maybe our hope and our confidence is shaken a bit, but we will not be greatly shaken. We will choose this minute, and move about by the power of the Spirit of God to know Him more and be still.
Rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, and in everything giving thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us. ( 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.)
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” Psalm 46:10.
Are we on God’s side?
He’s on our side.
He will guide the future.
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart, and all is darkened in the vale of tears, then shall you better know his love, his heart, who comes to soothe your sorrow and your fears.
Do we have His love? His hope?
God’s heart beats with constant love for us. He doesn’t change. His ways are unsearchable. Do we believe in Jesus?
Be still, my soul: the hour is hast’ning on when we shall be forever with the Lord, when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone, sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past, all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8a.
May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ -2 Thessalonians 3:5.
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with . . . singing. —Zephaniah 3:17
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. —2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Our hope is our faith in a true and living God.
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them – 1 John 4:16.
You, me, we can trust Him always.
The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. —Romans 8:18.
Music Therapy of the Hymn Be Still My Soul and Psalm 18 is provided to meditate on God’s Promises. He alone is true to His Word:
You O LORD, keep my lamp burning. My God turns my darkness into light. With Your help I can advance against a troop, and with my God I can scale a wall. As for God, His way is perfect. The word of the Lord is flawless and He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. For who is God beside the Lord? And who is a Rock except our God? Psalm 18: 28, 29, 30, 31.
A song can bring hope. Let a song bring healing and light in the dark spaces.
Classic Christmas hymns are memorable. They’re powerful with their clear and focused doctrinal lyrics.
They also can fall into the danger of being over familiar, where the words aren’t heard anymore. They become as elevator music to a hearing ear.
Isaac Watts penned Joy to the World in the 1700’s for Christmas. Hundred’s of years later, these lyrics are rich in wisdom and carry remedy for our hearts in turmoil, sadness, and fear.
“Joy to the world the Lord is come, let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing.”
Hearts are burdened and weary. Believers in Jesus, His birth, death, resurrection can be tempted to doubt, forget the good, and lose the song of His grace and new mercies for each new day.
Let’s prepare Him room. The dark world around us needs a God song. Let heaven and nature sing, and let’s take a breath and join this chorus in our attitudes and willingness to shine for Him.
Christians need their lives to sing for the Lord at this time.
People of all ages, the young, the elderly, everyone in this troubled day are in need to hear heaven and nature sing. There’s power and refreshing of outside crisp air, the cover and color of evergreens, the cloud’s formations. A change of space brings revival.
I’ve thought about changes in melody and song. Think of the classic lyrics, Amazing Grace how sweet the sound.
They’re sung in many melodies. Each brings the deep truths alive.
How about “Hallelujah“? Oh, the many different melodies we sing those glorious words of praise.
I ventured to put a new twist to Joy to the World to bring out the lyrics of some fantastic verses:
“No more let sin and sorrow grow, nor thorns infest the ground. He comes to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found.”
How glorious are these thoughts. We receive Him, and we don’t have to let sin and sorrow grow, we can walk in newness of life and He fills us with His Spirit.
Simply to speak these words lift a weary soul.
Jesus comes to make His blessings flow,far as the curse is found. He is able. He is Savior of the world. He is a gracious, compassionate, slow to anger. He abounds in mercy.
Jesus comes to bring forgiveness to whosoever will believe in Him.
To this we sing Hallelujah. So let us sing, “Joy to the world the Lord is come”!
The soil of our heart can become parched and dry as the day’s minutes pass by.
The winter winds of loss and outside fears bring a sting of pain.
But hear the good news: He rules the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove The light of His righteousness And wonders of His love . . .
Hallelujah. Let earth receive her King!
Prayer:
“Dear Lord, give us Your strength to sing: “Joy to the world! the Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ . . .”
You’re the One who asks of us, “Do you have ears to hear? Do you believe I am He? Have you prepared your heart for Me?
You tell us, ‘I’m your peace.’
‘I’m your healing.’
‘I’m your rescue.’
‘I’ve come to bring salvation and grace.’
It’s time I agree with You, Lord. Do I believe You Lord? Help me receive Your love.
Yes, I receive. Yes, I believe.
I pray now, help my unbelief. Bring Your joy to my world. In Jesus name, Amen.”
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—John 1:12.
How many ways can we sing, “Amazing Grace”? How many ways can we say “Hallelujah”!
So, let us sing, “Joy to the World, the Lord is Come.” Let our lives sing as we focus on Him as He lets His blessings flow .
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Hebrews 12:11-13.
“Let us sing, Joy to the world, the Lord is come!”
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” John 12:24.
Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
How can we bless the Lord at a time of trial or loss? We can . . . when we remember all His benefits as Psalm 103 reminds us:
Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
Circumstances change continually. We’re tempted to fret. We try to figure things out. We become angry and impatient.
Will we remember our great and mighty Lord?
He forgives all (y)our iniquities, Who heals all (y)our diseases, . . .
The struggle is great, . . .
to fret, or choose faith?
God waits. He’s patient and kind. It’s one thing to be patient, but patient and kind? That is glorious. That is the Lord. Fret brings on a deaf ear. Faith opens the hearing,
“Look up. Let go. Turn around. Follow Me.”
The struggle is great. There’s a war in our spirit. We have a choice to make.
When we look into His Word, we’re reminded that He who is faithful and true, keeps His promises:
He redeems (y)our life from destruction, He crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, He satisfies (y)our mouth with good things, So that (y)our youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Emphasis mine).
What will I think on today? What will I remember? The losses, the hurts? Or the promises of God?
Do I choose to believe the Lord, this moment, this day? Who is my Lord? Is it my own understanding or God’s proven character:
The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water” Jeremiah 2:13.
Selfishness and a stubborn spirit steal and bring thirst to my soul. But to all who seek Him, Jesus, He gives benefits:
” . . . but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life” John 4:14.
If I’m aware that I’m full and overflowing with the Lord’s love and sufficient grace, then my eyes see the green pastures the Lord has made me to lie down in, ( even in the storm), then I understand He restores my soul, yesterday, today, forever. He is God.
Circumstances change, but God doesn’t.
Who is God that I should bless?
He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
He is a gracious and compassionate Lord whom we can trust at all times.
For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Is He “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name?” Do we agree and ask to surrender as His children under His will? As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more.
Do I bless the Lord and remember His Word? It is light and life to our soul when we choose Him, Jesus.
Yes, when we remember His benefits toward us, those who choose to be children, forgiven and free: But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them.
The battle is won in prayer and praise.
Dear Lord, with all that is within me, let us remember all Your benefits:
The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all Psalm 103: 1-19.
To give thanks can be hard. Especially during times of loss or pain.
Children are a gift. They are our teachers. I share a lesson from a little child.
I heard about a very young boy who never knew his dad. His mom got very ill and died.
Relatives and friends expressed sadness around the boy.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months where the boy felt bad because everyone around him had unhappy faces.
He was sick of being sad and decided to do something about it. “People are happy when they get presents,” he thought, “I need to give presents.”
At first, he found things around the house and handed them to his relatives and neighbors saying, “This is a gift for you.”
The boy was changed, forgot his sadness and began to see smiles again.
The young boy asked if he could go to the dollar store to buy things he might give away to people.
“This gift is for you,” he would say to strangers in the park and hand them a little treasure. Smiles and thankfulness he received which made him very happy. Everyone he met was filled with thankfulness as they received his gift.
God holds out a gift, in this present, sad and dark day.
Our Father in heaven, Almighty God gave to whoever would receive:
For God so loved the world that he gave . . .
his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Can we hear Him with our eyes and hearts? Can we see His hands spread wide, “This gift is for you.”
Are we critical of the gift? Are we wise in our own eyes?
It’s time to learn from the children:
Jesus said: Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me Matthew 18:1-5.
Children. Believe. God.
We suffer loss, stress, pain. Today, . . . can we see the gift that the Lord holds out to us? His Word is Living. Comfort. Life. Hope. Peace.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper And from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. You will not be afraid of the terror by night, Or of the arrow that flies by day; Psalm 91: 1-8.
Is it time to decide to turn from the sadness? Is it time to turn to the Lord and let Him cover us in His love?
I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly John 10:9,10.
It’s time for life, and that more abundant. Jesus gives . . .
His arms are wide.
The Gospel message is this: We’re all separated from God. Sin has ravaged all of human kind.
. . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23.
But God, sent His Son Jesus to die in our place.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord Romans 6:23.
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all Isaiah 53:6.
As John the Baptist spoke as the messenger to “prepare the way in the wilderness,” Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near Matthew 3:2.
Eternal life begins the moment we believe:
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.But ahireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming andleaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.
I am the good shepherd; andI know My sheep, andam known by My own.As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father;and I lay down My life for the sheep.Andother sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice;and there will be one flock and one shepherd John 10:11-16.
Is today the first day of the rest of your life receiving the gift from the Son? Pray to the Lord. Do we have the Lord, but continue in stubbornness and pride?
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness 1 John 1:9.
Ask for His forgiveness in that we have all gone astray. Receive the cleansing of the blood of Jesus. And the Lord tells us we be new:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17.
If you have prayed to the Lord to receive His gift of salvation, let someone know! Amen.
When the news of the day brings weariness, I ask God to give me an open heart and an understanding mind to receive His Word. Anyone else need a bite of comfort food?
“Comfort, yes, comfort My people!” Says your God . . . The voice of one crying the wilderness says, “Prepare the way of the LORD; . . . Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth;
The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” Isaiah 40:1-5.
I must allow breakthrough of the water of the Word to run through the desert of my weariness. I will. Join me?
Yes, we will allow the Lord to move the mountains of trouble in our personal worlds today.
The voice said, “Cry out!” And he said, “What shall I cry?” “All flesh is grass. And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers and the flower fades, Because the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever” Isaiah 40: 6-8.
When circumstances are hard, we can see our God is greater.
We search His Word to increase our faith.
We take up the shield and God protects from all the fiery darts of the enemy, of doubt, and fear, and helplessness. The Word is living and alive. Our God is an awesome God:
“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, Measured heaven with a span . . . Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as His counselor has taught Him?
With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, And taught Him in the path of justice?
Who taught Him knowledge, and showed Him the way . . . Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales . . . to whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to Him? Isaiah 40: 12-18.
I choose to fear the LORD and take hold of His Word that I might discern the lies from what’s true:
The voice of the Lord speaks, do we respond, “I will receive His love this day.”
“Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, . . .
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:10.
Father, Son, the Holy Spirit, three in One . . . He is the I Am speaking to us. He speaks personally.
He takes hold of me, personally, individually, and you. My great and mighty God, Creator of the universe and all that’s in it, and yours. We can say, “He is mine.”
We will weep and cry aloud. And we will receive His love and healing. He is with us, now . . .
O how He loves you and me, O how He loves you and me,
He gave His life, what more could He give?
O how He loves you, O how He loves me,
O how He loves you and me. Jesus to Calv’ry did go, His love for mankind to show;
What He did there bro’t hope from despair:
O how He loves you, O how He loves me,
O how He loves you and me.
“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth” Psalm 57:11.
God, the Creator of heaven and earth, our holy Father says to those who have ears to hear His voice today: “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” Psalm 46:10.
Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns; The world also is firmly established, It shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples righteously”Psalm 96:10.
For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary” Psalm 96:4,5,6.
Active worship brings victory over anxiety.
We will lift our eyes vertical instead of horizontal. We will seek His face. We cry out for mercy, justice, truth, provision, and protection. And we worship Him:
“Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples, Give to the Lord glory and strength. Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come into His courts. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth” Psalm 96:7-9.
“Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; Let the sea roar, and all its fullness; . . .
For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth.
He shall judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with His truth” Psalm 96:11-13.
Amen! We will be still. God is faithful. Speak aloud
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise . . .
It’s proven, vibration of strings . . . moves waters.
The waters of our being must be stirred up with a good theme. The Psalms offer songs that often speak our unspoken thoughts.
I offer a place of refuge today.
Psalm 55, Trust in God Concerning the Treachery of Friends.
Originally, this psalm was intended to be played on a stringed instrument. Today will you join me to use your vocal chords and pray aloud this Contemplation of David written to the Chief Musician:
“Give ear to my prayer, O God, And do not hide Yourself from my supplication. Attend to me, and hear me; I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily,
Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked; For they bring down trouble upon me, And in wrath they hate me.
My heart is severely pained within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me.
So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Indeed, I would wander far off, And remain in the wilderness.
Selah (Pause and think quietly about this), the Amplified Bible reminds us.
“I would hasten my escape From the windy storm and tempest.”
“Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues, For I have seen violence and strife in the city. Day and night they go around it on its walls; Iniquity and trouble are also in the midst of it.
Destruction is in its midst; Oppression and deceit do not depart from its streets.
For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him.
But it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together And walked to the house of God in the throng . . .
As for me, I will call upon God, And the LORD shall save me. Evening, and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice. He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me.
For there were many against me. God will hear, and afflict them, Even He who abides from of old. Because they do not change, Therefore they do not fear God.
He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has broken his covenant. the words of his mouth were smoother than butter. But war was in his heart; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.
Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction; Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out have their days; But I will trust in You.
Psalm 55.Pause and think quietly about this.
God is on the throne. He knows each of our stories.
Time is slowed. Emotions stirred. Pain and restlessness fill each residence in this world.
Speak aloud psalms and hymns? Pray aloud? For such a time as this? We can’t afford not to!
In my cancer battle, I would play hymns in a slow lullaby style to calm my restlessness in light of the unknown future. Singing and making melody offered release and relief, and a present escape through my physical, emotional, and mental concerns.
(I recorded a “Sleepy Hymns” playlist to share for a baby gift for my niece and others. I would like to offer opportunity that others might experience a release and relief as well.)
A song of longing, healing, hope, . . . somewhere over the rainbow.
We hear opinions and beliefs in our post modern culture, of patched-together ideas of Jesus, personal truths as it relates to each individual, such as, “The Jesus I believe in is love. He would never condemn anyone to hell.”
And we, Christians, understand that Jesus doesn’t condemn anyone to hell, our unrepentant sin does that. “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.”
Christians understand that Jesus is Savior of the world.
We hear open arguments such as,
“The oppression throughout history has been caused by Christianity.”
The idea of Christian’s believe there is only one way to heaven and they are prejudice against any other belief system is hateand toxic.“
As Christians, we hear these thoughts of great misunderstandings with broken hearts, because we desire to be witness to the Gospel message: Mankind is plagued with dark hearts due to sin. The Father gave His Son, Jesus to make a complete and sufficient payment on the cross for our sins, and He overcame death and sin and with the miraculous wonder of being resurrected from the dead.
He lives forevermore, and offers life eternal to whosoever will believe. This is the Gospel. Jesus is the solution to all of the world.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16.
We all have many questions. The Bible is a Book worthy of study and a place to bring our misunderstandings, that we might cry out our questions to God. He will answer.
“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”
Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? John 6: 4-9.
Christians don’t live by a set of rules and make rules for the world. We don’t read simply black and white letters on a page.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart Hebrews 4:12.
Christians receive the Holy Spirit when we believe on Jesus. His Word speaks and the Holy Spirit moves and gives us understanding in His Word. God is Holy and able to draw all men to Himself to all who believe.
“And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment” John 16:8.
We’re tempted to be shaken by people’s opinions and thoughts about “their” Jesus. But what did Jesus Himself tell us who believe?
Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
All these are the beginning of sorrows.
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.
And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” Matthew 24:3-14.
God’s Word strengthens us. Our faith is restored by God’s Word. Jesus speaks to us today:
“Do you now believe? Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone.
And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” John 16:32,33.
In the Bible, Jesus was brought to Pilate’s court the Praetorium.
“Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?“
Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?”
Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?”
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of the world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?“
Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all” John 18:33-38. What is truth? Let all the Christians say, “The person of Jesus.”
Jesus prayed for us in the Garden of Gethsemane in John 17,
” 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.
I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.
They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth.
Your word is truth.
As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth” John 17:14-19.
Who is my Jesus? “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” Hebrews 13:8.
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,” 1 Timothy 2:5.
Are there Christians strengthened in God today by His glorious Word? Let all the people say, “Amen.”
For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face Psalm 11:7.
Psalm 11 is a powerful Word for today.
When “the foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?”
Seven verses of promise found in Psalm 11 prove to be a present help for those who trust in the Lord when the arrows of the enemy are set against us.
We need grace and help in our time of need. Where are the words for our prayer?
Psalm 11:
I trust in the Lord for protection.
So why do you say to me,“Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety!
The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right.
The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?”
But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.
The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence.
He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked,punishing them with scorching winds.
For the righteous Lord loves justice.The virtuous will see his face. Psalm 11: 1-7.
We’re to speak to one another in Psalms and hymns. What would an appropriate hymn be? A Mighty Fortress is our God by Martin Luther. Let’s challenge ourselves to speak these words aloud to be as a vitamin for increased faith this day:
A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing. Our helper He amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe. His craft and power are great, And, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing, Were not the right man on our side, The man of God’s own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He. Lord Sabboth, his name, From age to age the same, And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us. The Prince of Darkness grim, We tremble not for him. His rage we can endure, For lo, his doom is sure. One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers Not thanks to them, abideth. The Spirit and the gifts are ours Through him who with us sideth. Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also. The body they may kill, God’s truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever…
The Word and the Hymnal empower us to have melody.
To give thanks can be hard. Especially during times of loss or pain.
