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Archive for the ‘Hope’ Category

The Challenge of Change

Posted in Blessings, Courage, Encouragement, Faith, God's Goodness, God's Provision, God's Strength, Hope, Maturity, Obedience, Perseverance, Seeking God, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on October 29, 2026| 33 Comments »

“This is Superintendent Hamilton calling. Is Steve there?”

The phone call that morning caught me off-guard—by who was calling and his instruction. I felt my heart rate quicken even while responding: “No, but may I take a message?”

“I need for you and Steve to come to the district office—this afternoon, if possible. When you’re able to reach him, have Steve arrange a time with my secretary, and I’ll see you then!”

Dr. Hamilton quickly ended the call, busy as he was, especially given the season: appointment-announcement time. Surely this was what he wanted to discuss with us.

That afternoon we learned that my husband, a pastor, would be assigned to a new church, effective in three months’ time. As Dr. Hamilton prayed for us, tears filled my eyes.

We’d developed delightful friendships within our current church—people who’d become like family over the previous five years. But soon we’d no longer sing in the choir together, meet every Monday night at the parsonage for Small Group (which grew to about thirty-five or forty people), or laugh and whoop through holiday parties with one another.

A more sedate gathering of the group in Fellowship Hall at the church

This was the hardest part of being married to a pastor in our denomination: moving. In those days we had little voice in the matter. The bishop and district superintendents made the decisions; clergy families were expected to abide by them.

Change is hard, especially when thrust upon you. Some of you know full well; you’ve experienced much worse upheaval than moving.

For me, at that point in my young adult life, I still had much to learn about navigating the challenge of change. There’s actually much we can do to ease the transition and find ourselves changed-for-the-better in the process.

To begin, we might . . .

Embrace Heartening Truths about Change

For example:

  • “Change is God’s idea. He orchestrates it, and it never takes him by surprise [1].
  • Change is good! It can deliver us right into the palm of God’s hand, which is where we wanted to be all along [2].
  • The God who made us will equip us for the road ahead, even if it’s an unpleasant road [3].

Consider Change as a Gift . . .

. . . because along with the difficulties and heartaches come beautiful benefits as well:

Our faith grows as we’re compelled to press in closer to God for comfort and strength. We experience Spirit-orchestrated transformation as perseverance does its work to produce maturity (James 1:4). And tempered resilience develops as change pushes and pulls us, rebukes and remakes us [4] into better people than we were before.

In addition, new possibilities present themselves that never occurred to us. (Think of Joseph’s transition from household overseer to prime minister—by way of prison, or David from shepherd to king—by way of living as a fugitive for a dozen years or so.)

Allow the Transition to Lead to Transformation [5]

How? By:

  • Clinging to scripture truth. We can begin in the Psalms, copying, journaling and meditating on those truths about God that are relevant to our situations. We can copy promises that offer reassurance and hope. (Another post, The Favor of God, offers an example.)
  • Affirming that God has a hope-filled future awaiting us (Jeremiah 29:11) and taking the next step forward. Tomorrow, we do it again. Before long we see his plan for good unfolding before us [6].
  • Looking back with gratitude and remembering: Just as God has brought us through challenges in the past (sometimes quite wondrously!), he will bring us through our current challenges as well. (Again, another post, Sacred Hands Behind the Scenes, offers examples from my journal.)
  • Looking forward with anticipation and asking: What opportunities might lie ahead? How might God use me in this new life-chapter?

This is not to claim we should sail through the challenge of change hassle-free. But even when swamped by trouble, we can take heart in knowing our God is a strong, stabilizing anchor through every storm.

He’s our ever-present help through every trial, our full provider for every need, and our gracious guide for every path [7].

As for that move? The next church (and three more after that) provided new friends, new opportunities, and new joys!

[1] Sherry Surrat, https://www.todayschristianwoman.com/articles/2016/february/ how-to-cope-with-change.html.

[2] Sheila Niequist, Savor, 10.

[3] Karol Ladd, Thrive, Don’t Simply Survive, 36.

[4] Sheila Niequist

[5] Jean Wise, Sacred Surroundings, 150.

[6] Betsy de Cruz, https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-daily-prayer/a-prayer-for-when-you’re-facing-unwanted-changes.html.

[7] Hebrews 6:19; Psalm 46:1; Philippians 4:19; Psalm 48:14b.

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Freshen Up

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, God's Grace, God's Provision, Hope, Renewing the Mind, Uncategorized, Waiting on God, tagged , , , , , on October 22, 2026| 30 Comments »

Let’s say you’ve just arrived home after a long day at work and in fifteen minutes you have to head out again for a dinner engagement.

No time to shower, but a quick “freshen-up,” a change of clothes, a brush through the hair, a touch-up of the make-up (for the women reading this!), and violá—you not only look more presentable, you actually feel more energized.

Such a scenario highlights a strategy we can apply in the spiritual realm as well. We can freshen up our faith. Sometimes all it takes is a new perspective, obtained in less than fifteen minutes!

For example, browse through the following quotes that offer notable perspectives on faith in God. See if your heart doesn’t liven up while reading one or two.

FAITH DEFINITIONS

“Faith is not about everything turning out OK. Faith is about being OK no matter how things turn out”—Unknown.

“Faith isn’t the ability to believe, long and far into the misty future. It’s simply taking God at His Word and taking the next step”—Joni Eareckson Tada.

“Faith is letting down our nets into the transparent deeps of the Divine command, not knowing what we shall draw”—Francois Fenelon.

“Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right”—Max Lucado.

FAITH IN SPITE OF DOUBTS

“Trust God’s Word and his power more than you trust your own feelings and experiences. Remember, your Rock is Christ, it is the sea that ebbs and flows with the tides, not Him”—Samuel Rutherford.

“Feed your faith and your doubts will starve”—Debbie Macomber.

Hope is no less real because it seems small amid the darkness. Faith is no less yours to claim because you struggle against doubt” (Bodie and Brock Thoene, Take This Cup, 224).

“Don’t dig up in doubt what you planted in faith”—Elisabeth Elliot.

FAITH IN SPITE OF TROUBLE

“Faith doesn’t always take you out of the problem, faith takes you through the problem. Faith doesn’t always take away the pain, faith gives you the ability to handle the pain. Faith doesn’t take you out of the storm, faith calms you in the midst of the storm”—Unknown.

Jeremiah [the biblical prophet] often felt terrible and he was treated terribly. He felt weak and often was near despair. In fact, he was always strong. His emotions often failed him, his faith always held fast”—Eugene Peterson, Run with the Horses, 57.

“Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand”—Oswald Chambers.

“I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I cannot feel it. I believe in God even when he is silent”—Unknown.

FAITH INSPIRATION

“Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible”—Corrie ten Boom.

“Face the future with expectancy. Believe that God will act in due time. He cannot lie, but he is not in a hurry . . . Thanking God that it will be so before it is so, that’s faith—Arnold Prater, Bonding with God, 81.

“Faith invites us into an enchanting journey—one marked by mysteries of divine beauty, holy courage, irrepressible hope, unending love”—Margaret Feinberg, Wonderstruck, 7.

“Faith is putting all your eggs in God’s basket, then counting your blessings before they hatch”—Ramona C. Carroll.

I pray these quotes did indeed freshen up your spirit with renewed faith.

Which one did you find most revitalizing? Why did it stand out to you? Please share in the comment section below!

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Thank Ahead

Posted in Appreciation, Blessings, Encouragement, Faith, God's Goodness, God's Promises, God's Provision, Hope, Patience, Perseverance, Praise, Prayer, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized, Waiting on God, Worry, Worship, tagged , , , , , , on August 20, 2026| 42 Comments »

No, that’s not a typo in the title, although I can see why you’d think so. We’re much more accustomed to the reminder, “think ahead.”

But recently I came across that title-phrase in Debora M. Coty’s book, Fear, Faith, and a Fistful of Chocolate [1].

She suggests we turn hindsight—for all God’s previous provision, guidance, and blessing—into foresight and trust his care for us in the future, to thank him ahead of time for what he’s going to do (pp. 115-116).

A doubter might say, “That seems a bit presumptuous. Everybody knows God doesn’t always give us what we want. Thanking him ahead of time for what we may not receive doesn’t make much sense.”

Our doubter is partially right: God doesn’t cater to our every desire, no matter how fervently we pray. But that’s a good thing. Surely all of us can think of a deeply held desire that seemed within God’s will, and we repeatedly asked him to supply it, only to be disappointed.

We’d do well to remember what Puritan minister John Flavel wrote long ago:

We might begin to thank ahead by expressing gratitude for such blessings as deeper confidence in God as we cling to him in trust, greater strength of character that’s growing within, and important life-lessons learned as we wait [2].

But that’s not all.

To thank ahead is a step of faith in what we know.

For example: God turns all things to good for those who love him. We may not see what that good is until we get to heaven, but we know our perfect God always works things out perfectly, in his perfect timing [3].

To thank ahead prepares the heart for what God will do.

Let’s say we need a new car. It would be quite impudent to expect a new Corvette ZR1X and thank God for it ahead of time. But we can be grateful he’ll supply our need of transportation and give us the patience to wait, if necessary, until his chosen moment for provision [4].

To thank ahead turns our minds from worthless worry to uplifting truth.

Why is it our minds love to whirl around anxious thoughts? The act of faith-fueled gratitude shifts our focus from our concerns and problems to God’s attributes and promises.

Psalm 145:7-8 offers a list of attributes to get us started:

Let’s celebrate, not agitate!

Many of you know of George Muller . . .

. . . who built and superintended orphanages in Bristol, England during the 1800s. Over the sixty years of his ministry, thousands of children received loving care within those facilities and learned about Jesus.

Muller was known for his devotion to prayer. He never asked for funding or borrowed to meet expenses.

One morning there was nothing to feed the children. George instructed the housemother to seat the children in the dining room as usual. He then thanked God for the food–and waited. George knew God would not let the children go hungry.

Soon a baker appeared at the door. “I couldn’t sleep last night,” he explained. “And somehow I knew you’d need bread this morning. So I got up and baked three batches for you. I’ll bring it in!”

Minutes later a milkman knocked at the door. “My cart has broken down here on your street, Mr. Muller. It’ll spoil by the time we get the wheel fixed. Could you use some free milk?”

And the ten cans of milk provided just enough for the 300 children [5].

Notice: In this case, George did nothing to solve the problem. He simply trusted and waited.

George knew:

By thanking ahead, we’ll grow such unwavering trust in our own hearts.

[1] Another thrift store find, published by Barbour, 2013.

[2] Hebrews 12:11

[3] Romans 8:28; Ecclesiastes 3:11

[4] Philippians 4:19; Lamentations 3:25

[5] https://www.georgemuller.org/devotional/a-famous-story-about-mullers-faith).

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Finding Calm and Quiet

Posted in Bible Study, Faith, Hope, Maturity, Meditation, Obedience, Peace, Prayer, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , on July 30, 2026| 34 Comments »

King David Playing the Harp by Gerard van Honthorst (1622)

(Psalm 131, personalized)

“My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty” (v. 1a).

O God, King David’s firm assertion that no pride lurks in his heart stirs up envy within me. I wish I could say no pride ever lurks in my heart.

Pride is such an ugly attribute.  Just like mold on bread causes ruin, pride causes ruin in me.

A bent toward self-aggrandizing—even in my thoughts—spoils my connection with You, Father, as much as pridefully choosing to do things my way instead of Your way. And when my feelings are bruised by the words and actions of others? It’s really pride masquerading as “hurt.”

I’d like to say with King David, “I have given up my pride and turned away from my arrogance” (v. 1 GNT), but the mold of pride still forms in my spirit from time to time.

I ask Your help, O God, to help me cut it off the moment it begins to appear. Remind me that apart from You I am nothing and can do nothing (1).

“I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me” (v. 1b).

David also asserts he doesn’t concern himself with matters outside his control or things too profound for him and beyond his understanding.

In years past and much too often I allowed my mind to circle around distressing situations and worrisome what-ifs, even though such thinking accomplishes nothing.

You’ve taught me, Lord, (and continue to give me opportunities for practice!), to affirm what I know about You and Your ways instead of fretting, including such encouraging passages as Psalm 145:8-9:

“But I have calmed and quieted myself” (v. 2a).

You are the Almighty Sovereign One, the only wise God, my faithful and loving Father. How silly I am not to rest—every moment–in Your power and peace.

David states matter-of-factly he’s calmed and quieted his soul. Since his days as a shepherd boy he’d been one to affirm what he knew to be true about You. Psalm 23 is one eloquent example. 

But David also prayed concerning his needs, trusting that You’d provide:

Thank You, Father, for teaching me the power of prayer and praise to quiet my soul. I have only to present my requests before You—with thanksgiving—to experience your peace [2].

“I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content” (v. 2b).

In fact, the calm and quiet of Your peace is like that of a weaned child, contentedly nestled on his mother’s lap [3]—no longer demanding immediate gratification.

What a sweet image of the rest I can experience in the assurance of Your provision, in Your time, while reveling in the closeness and companionship in Your presence.

I know Your goal for me is emotional and spiritual maturity. You sometimes choose to wean me away from good things, to bring me to better things. Help me to remember: painful losses can give way to wonderful gains [4].

“Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore” (v. 3).

And so, Father, I put my hope in You, now and forevermore. This is not wishful thinking but confident expectation based on the perfections of Your character. My hope is strengthened by Your glorious promises, including Your assurance never to leave me or forsake me.

I can joyfully anticipate what You will do in the future, knowing You have my best interest at heart. This day and every day I place my trust in You afresh, my good and gracious God!

____________________

[1] 1 Corinthians 1:27-31; John 15:5 

]2] Philippians 4:6-7

[3] Psalm 131:2

[4] Warren Wiersbe, Be Exultant, 174.

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Choosing to Remember

Posted in Appreciation, Bible Study, Blessings, Encouragement, Faith, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, Hope, Meditation, Obedience, Peace, Praise, Renewing the Mind, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on May 28, 2026| 46 Comments »

Mom, Dad, and great-granddaughter, about 2011

As he got older, my dad would occasionally quip, “My memory is so good I can remember things that didn’t even happen!”

Actually, Dad remembered accurately many past events, numerous jokes, a plethora of interesting trivia, and an impressive amount of Bible knowledge—well into old age.

Some years ago I happened to recall a fun song from my childhood, but a few lines of lyrics had escaped my memory. Dad was in his upper-eighties by this time, but I asked anyway.

“Do you happen to remember the lyrics to “Cheer Up, Cheer Up?”

He remembered them perfectly, and we enjoyed reminiscing about the Scottish pastor who’d taught us to sing the chorus with a Scottish accent.

Delightful memories are one of the joys of getting older.

In fact:

But God designed our memory-capacity for more than just enjoyment. He had in mind important purpose as we use this ability to foster our relationship with him.

For example:

Remembering God’s interventions contributes to our hope.

Looking back over our lives, we all can remember how God has brought us through challenging times, miraculously supplied urgent needs, and guided us in difficult decisions.

As a result, we can affirm: if he took care of those situations then, he can certainly take care of this situation now. And we find hope beginning to bloom.

Remembering God’s mighty deeds bolsters our faith.

Like the psalmist Asaph wrote: “I will ponder all your works and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?” (Psalm 77:12-13).

Remembering is a form of worship. And as we rehearse with him the miracles we’ve witnessed and experienced, our fears subside, doubts shrink, strength increases, and our confidence in God expands.

Remembering God’s faithfulness fosters gratitude and peace.

Brain research has confirmed that “engaging in gratitude rewires neural-pathways, combating anxiety.” 

That means, with every remembrance of God’s faithfulness, we’re taking advantage of the ability he’s given us, to calm our stress and hard-wire pathways to peace. *

Remembering the past encourages personal and spiritual growth.

We find wisdom for the present from the lessons learned in the past.

One lesson I’ve learned along the way was actually proclaimed eons ago by a Greek playwright, Aeschylus: “Happiness is a choice.” 

I can choose negativity and spiral downward into discouragement, or I can look for the blessings in my life and give my heart a good dose of cheer (Proverbs 17:22).

I’d rather do the latter.

Remembering the past contributes to obedience.

  • As we consider how God has provided throughout our lives, we’re more able to obey the instructions:
  • As we praise God for what he’s accomplished in the past, we’ll sidestep complaining about a difficulty in the present.
  • As we remember the joy of liberal generosity (Acts 20:35), we’ll avoid tight-fisted possessiveness.
  • And as we strengthen our faith by remembering God’s amazing deeds, we fight against spiritual complacency.

With the psalmist we can affirm:

We have no need for wishful thinking, remembering things that didn’t even happen. Pondering all the wonders God has performed for us will keep us happily occupied into eternity.

* https://cfc.sebts.edu/faith-and-culture/why-remembering-matters-and-how-it-shapes-our-lives-and-our-brains/

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Uplift

Posted in Bible Study, Blessings, Encouragement, Faith, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, God's Power, God's Promises, God's Provision, God's Refuge, God's Strength, Hope, Intimacy with God, Meditation, Peace, Praise, Prayer, Renewing the Mind, Seeking God, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , on April 16, 2026| 48 Comments »

A prayer in the midst of distress:

Heavy concerns weigh upon my heart, Lord,

beyond my abilities to remedy.

My thoughts bounce from faith-affirmations 

to faltering “what-ifs.”

I wonder, “How long, O Lord; how long?” (Psalm 6:3)

And so I come, to curl up on your footstool (Psalm 132:7), 

to rest in your comforting presence ( Psalm 62:1),

to catch my breath, slow my heart rate, and

look to you for uplift in my mind and spirit (Psalm 145:14).

I hear your tender voice reminding me:

“I am watching over you (Psalm 121:8),

surrounding you with my unfailing love (Psalm 32:10). 

Just as I’ve promised in my Word,

I will provide guidance for the path ahead (Proverbs 3:5-6)

and the power to endure (Isaiah 40:29).

I am faithful in all I do, never forsaking those who seek me (Psalm 36:5; Psalm 9:10).

Remember, I have always been your help (Psalm 46:1);

I have always sustained you through every challenge (Isaiah 41:10).”

Thank you, Father, for your reassurances.

Already I feel strength returning to my soul (Psalm 138:3)

and hope cheering my heart (Psalm 94:19).

I praise you for your attentiveness (Matthew 10:29-31)—

your watchful care, unfailing love, and reliable guidance, 

your unstoppable power, everlasting faithfulness, and ever-ready help.*

I picture you reaching down,

cupping my chin in your hand,

and lifting my head to look into your eyes (Psalm 3:3)—

eyes that speak-without-words of your love,

compassion, patience, and forgiveness.*

And in my heart I hear you reaffirm:

“Know this:

As you come into my presence and

allow me to lift your head (Psalm 3:3)—

To encourage, edify, and inspire your spirit,

I will bestow multiple blessings, including:

ALLEVIATION—

As I firmly support you to bear these burdens (Psalm 68:19),

ANTICIPATION—

for the intervention I can provide (Isaiah 64:4),

CONSOLATION—

to ease the distress (Matthew 11:28-29).

INSPIRATION—

to press on with confidence (Galatians 6:9),

LIBERATION—

 from crippling guilt and nagging doubts (Romans 8:1; Isaiah 41:10),

MANIFESTION—

of my comforting, empowering presence (Psalm 23:4), and

RESTORATION—

of hope to fuel your spirit and faith to carry on (Isaiah 40:31).

“Then the uplift of your spirit will become evident

In the uplift of your face (Proverbs 27:19),

as trust supersedes concern, and

expectation displaces doubt.”

I praise you, Lord—

You’ve heard my cry for mercy.

You are my strength and shield;

my heart trusts in you, and you help me (Psalm 28:6-7).

Hallelujah!

*Psalms 103 and 145 celebrate many of God’s awesome attributes.

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Perspective, Promise, and Praise

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, God's Presence, God's Promises, Hope, Praise, Renewing the Mind, Suffering, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , on September 18, 2025| 47 Comments »

Since Charlie Kirk’s tragic death last week, perhaps you’ve heard people ask, “Why didn’t God stop Tyler Robinson?” Or, ”Why is so much violence occurring in our country? Why does God allow such suffering [1]?”

Perhaps you’ve been wondering yourself.

But even if we knew the answers to all of our why questions, we’d still want to ask God: Couldn’t you have accomplished your purpose some other way?

Better than seeking answers (that likely won’t satisfy), we’d settle our spirits more effectively if we sought perspective, built our hope and faith with God’s promises, and encouraged our hearts with praise.  

See Job’s example, Job 1:20

Perspective

I appreciate this wisdom from Eugene Peterson:

“We underestimate God and overestimate evil. We don’t see what God is doing and conclude he’s doing nothing . . .

“We see evil everywhere, holding countless people hostage whether as perpetrators or victims. We must remember: ‘evil is not everything and it is not everywhere’ . . . [neither is it] wild and uncontrollable. It has an origin and a finish . . .

. . . “We cannot afford to be naïve about evil—it must be faced. But we cannot be intimidated by it either. It will be used by God to bring good [2].”

Evil must be faced, he says, raising the question, how? The Bible tells us: with prayer, with goodness, and with soft (not incensed or arrogant) responses to anger [3].

Peterson also asserts God uses evil for good. What possible good could God accomplish from Charlie Kirk’s assassination?

Just since last Wednesday, there are more than one million new subscribers to Charlie’s organization, Turning Point USA, and more than 54,000 new requests for Turning Point chapters at high schools, colleges, and universities across the country.

I pray that as participants hear about Charlie’s faith, his passion for the institutions of marriage and family, as well as his irrefutable logic in support of biblical values, they too will accept Christ into their lives, to experience the God-enhanced life he offers [4].

Promise

Charles Spurgeon would have us understand:

What might those stars of promise include?

  • Psalm 9:9-10 “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
  • Romans 8:31 “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
  • Romans 16:20 “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”

We can also be encouraged by such scripture-based affirmations as:

  • “Underneath are the everlasting arms, full of sustaining comfort and strength” [5].
  • “I know nothing which can so comfort the soul, so calm the swelling billows of grief and sorrow, so speak peace to the winds of trial, as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead” [6].
  • “The devil may land a punch or two. He may even win a few rounds, but he never wins the fight” [7].

Praise

Even though it’s counterintuitive to praise God when we’re distressed, it’s a powerful way to lift our spirits [8].

Perhaps we could begin . . .

I praise you, Lord, for drawing especially near to those who are hurting. You DO make your presence known in palpable ways. And to sense your presence is to experience inexplicable peace and comfort. I pray this for Charlie Kirk’s family and friends.

I praise you also for your Word that ministers consolation and strength. May we all avail ourselves with renewed appetite for your truth.

Psalm 34:18; 139:7-10; John 16:33;

Lamentations 3:32-33; Psalm 119:49-50;

Proverbs 15:14

P.S. Continue your praise, guided by the free resource offered below, as part of our newsletter.

[1] Two worthwhile books that consider such questions: The Problem of Pain by C. S. Lewis and Os Guinness’ book, Last Call for Liberty.

[2] Excerpts from pp. 55-57 of Run with the Horses.

[3] Luke 6:27-28; Proverbs 15:1

[4] John 10:10

[5] Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, 145; Deuteronomy 33:27

[6] Charles Spurgeon, from a sermon, “The Immutability of God”; Isaiah 26:3

[7] Max Lucado, Grace for the Moment, 91; 1 John 3:8

[8] Isaiah 61:1-3

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STILL AVAILABLE: “Thirty Days of Praise”–scriptures and question-prompts to draw our hearts and minds toward the joy of celebrating God.

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Everything Serves God’s Purpose

Posted in Appreciation, Bible Study, Blessings, Encouragement, Faith, God, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, God's Grace, God's Love, God's Power, God's Will, God's Wisdom, Hope, Maturity, Meditation, Renewing the Mind, Uncategorized, Worship, tagged , , , , , , on August 7, 2025| 34 Comments »

(A personal, prayer-response:)

How I love this passage, Lord, with its comfort and reassurance!

Paul reminds me here that You, O God, are all-wise and all-knowing; You know what’s best for each of us.

You cause all things to work together for our benefit, for those who love You (Romans 8:28).

Sometimes though, I have to admit, certain events confound and frustrate me. My finite mind cannot understand what good you could possibly bring out of:

  • Severe financial setbacks for a godly family
  • A rejection letter from a mission board for an eager candidate
  • An announcement of divorce between a respected couple in the church
  • A cancer diagnosis for a young mother
  • The death of a child

But those of us who trust in You know that we can count on Your wisdom and knowledge in all things, and the absolute dependability of Your character—Your benevolent goodness, Your perfect righteousness, Your deep compassion, Your unfailing faithfulness and infinite love (to name a few)—even in the face of struggle and tragedy.

Remind me, Father, that “making room for mystery in my worldview”(1) is an important element of spiritual maturity.

And to demonstrate that mature trust, I can follow Job’s example. His first response to catastrophe was worship (Job 1:20).

And as I worship, I can praise and thank You, not only for those blessings I see but also for those I can’t.

Help me Father to rest in the knowledge that:

  • Out of Your infinite wisdom, You select the best possible conclusion of events, and You adopt the best possible means for accomplishing that conclusion (2).
  • You are the Most High God, Lord of heaven and earth. You are subject to no one and influenced by no one; neither can anyone thwart or hinder Your plans (3).
  • Even my mistakes could never obstruct Your will.
  • You, on the other hand make no mistakes. Your choices for me are always right, because they come from Your perfect mind and heart. You always know exactly what you’re doing.
  • “Everything from You and for You” (v. 36) often includes mundane tasks, tedious routine, and lack of recognition. But I can count on the fact that, “in the midst of what seems terribly ordinary, You—in your wisdom and power–are doing something extraordinary” (4).
  • Everything serves Your purpose (5). You direct everything toward the conclusion you ordained for it.

May I be joyfully submissive to Your plans for me, in light of these marvelous truths!

Notes:

  1. Sarah Young, Jesus Always, 65. 
  2. Based on a J. L. Dagg quote, www.gracequotes.com.
  3.  Based on an A. W. Pink quote, www.gracequotes.com.
  4. Alice Mathews, A Woman God Can Use, 77.
  5. A quote my dad copied into one of his Bibles, source unknown.

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Have I Got Good News for YOU!

Posted in Bible Study, Blessings, Encouragement, Faith, God, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, God's Grace, God's Love, God's Salvation, Heaven, Hope, Jesus, Salvation, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , on July 31, 2025| 39 Comments »

She stands before the judge, tears filling her eyes, as one misdeed after another plays out on a Jumbotron for all to see.

He waves his arm toward the mammoth screen. “The evidence is clear,” he thunders. “You’ve committed numerous indiscretions. What do you have to say for yourself?”

Her response is barely audible. “I am guilty as charged, your Honor.”

“Highly disappointing,” he asserts.  “However, my Book of Life does indicate you accepted the gift of eternal life made possible by my Son, so you will be allowed to enter heaven, but of course, your place will be far to the rear.

“You can also expect far fewer blessings in my celestial kingdom, compared to those who have lived truly saintly lives. You understand, of course.”

She nods and bows her head in shameful misery.  

Such a scene is imaginary, of course, but reflects the fear and foreboding I used to feel toward the Judgment Day to come, when it’s my turn to face the Judge of all the earth.

After all, he is holy and I am a wretched sinner—even as a Jesus-follower. And though God has provided the way for me to escape hell when I die, he’ll have every right to reprimand me, even banish me to some far corner of heaven.

Perhaps you’ve been plagued by such thoughts as well. If so, have I got good news for YOU!

First, consider this passage from a praise-psalm of King David:

A rather surprising reason to rejoice, agreed?

David goes on to explain: “He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness” (v. 13).

Could God judge any other way? No. He is holy and perfect in all that he does and says.

That means all his righteous and faithful perfections will come into play as he fulfills this role: his compassion and grace, wisdom and discernment, goodness, patience, and more.

We can rest assured: on Judgment Day God will not divorce himself from these attributes and become a stern, vindictive, and unforgiving judge.

He is for us, not against us [1].

In addition we mustn’t forget that God is rich in mercy [2]–mercy “so great that you may sooner drain the sea of its water, or deprive the sun of its light, or make space too narrow, than diminish the great mercy of God”–Charles Spurgeon [3].

Another factor to keep in mind: the affirming promise the Apostle Paul included in his letter to the Romans. For clarity’s sake, here’s the Amplified Version:

“There is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]” [4].

Elsewhere Paul makes clear: the charge of our legal indebtedness has been cancelled.

I repeat, cancelled.

We have already been judged ‘not guilty’ in the courts of heaven.

—Sarah Young, Jesus Always, 236.

In fact, our sins are removed as far as the east is from the west [5].

So how might that opening scenario proceed differently for that Christ-following woman, standing before the Judge of all the earth?

He may open his Book of Life, find her name, and announce, “Ah! Here you are! Your debt has been fully paid by my Son.”

Then perhaps he’d lean forward on his forearms and smile warmly upon her. “Proceed through those doors to your right, my child, and enjoy forever my complete peace, joy, and blessing!”

 *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

I praise you, O God, for your gift of salvation, not granted grudgingly because you feel sorry for us wretched creatures, but because you love us. That love is manifested by your kindness and compassion in spite of our sinful tendencies.

And now we can stand in a place of confidence and peace as we anticipate our homegoing to heaven—with no fear of retribution. Thank you, Lord God, our Father!

(Romans 5:8; Psalm 103:8-14; John 5:24)

P.S. Though all those who believe in Christ will receive all the benefits of eternal life in heaven, the rewards we receive for godly behavior will differ [6].

What might those rewards include and how do we earn them? Topics for another day!

[1] Romans 8:31b

[2] Ephesians 2:4-5

[3] Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), British preacher and author

[4] Romans 8:1 AMP

[5] Psalm 103:12

[6] John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 2:9; 3:8

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Forward Momentum

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, God, Hope, Meditation, Renewing the Mind, Suffering, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on April 10, 2025| 27 Comments »

Perhaps you’ve experienced one of these life-altering moments when:

  • A medical diagnosis immediately shifted priorities for the whole family
  • Corporate headquarters announced lay-offs; you were one of them
  • You realized Mom could no longer live alone
  • A spouse announced your marriage was no longer working for them, and they’d found someone else

The first instinct is to shut out the world, pull inward, and allow grief and self-pity full reign.

Yes, grieving is essential, but there comes a time to let go of what was and look to God for what’s next, because:

When we believe God, we move forward.

When we choose to despair, we stay in a pit.

Karol Ladd [1], Thrive, Don’t Simply Survive, 89.

But how do we activate our belief in God in order to combat despair?

Listed below are ten practices for such times. They also provide help when smaller upsets occur and in seasons of spiritual malaise.

Ten Strategies for Forward Momentum:

  • Resist looking too far down the road and becoming discouraged by the what-ifs. Focus on just today–even just the next hour [1].
  • Spend time reflecting on God’s Word and note the transformation of mind and spirit. From Psalm 119 alone we learn that scripture provides strength (v. 28), preservation of life (v. 50), comfort (v. 52), delight (v. 77), wisdom (v. 98), understanding (v. 104), guidance (v. 105), truth (v. 142), and peace (v. 165). Such entities are always beneficial, but especially in the midst of difficulty.
  • Practice gratitude to God frequently throughout the day. Gratitude expands your awareness of his goodness in spite of challenge.
  • Practice praise, for each of his attributes you see at work in your life: his attentiveness, faithfulness, wisdom, and more [2].
  • Counter the urge to look backward and dwell on the negative. Look upward with worship in order to move forward [3].
  • Affirm your confidence in God [4]. You are not alone! You have a trustworthy, all-powerful God working for you and in you. He WILL see you through and bring positive effect out of the situation.
  • Pray about the next steps God would have you take. Rest assured that “where God guides, he also provides”—Unknown [5].
  • Follow the Apostle Paul’s advice in Philippians 4:8, and fill your mind with profitable input. Read spirit-lifting material, listen to Christian music and sing along, listen to encouraging podcasts.
  • Allow others to minister hope and encouragement to you, and be an encourager yourself. That Bible-truth, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”[6] applies to encouragement too.
  • Kindness works in similar fashion. Show kindness to others and find the joy of your heart increased [7].

Feed your hope for tomorrow with scripture verses, song lyrics, and uplifting quotes. Copy them in a journal or notebook. You’ll have instant encouragement at your fingertips.

These quotes may offer a starting point:

The first step toward getting somewhere

is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.

–John Pierpont Morgan

*    *    *

It may support your heart to consider that

in these troubles God is performing that work

in which your soul would rejoice

–if you did see the design of it.

–John Flavel, Keeping the Heart

* * *

*     *     *

[The road may be rocky] “but with God’s help

the rocks can become stepping stones.”

–Barbara Johnson

Pack Up Your Gloomies in a Great Big Box, 83

*     *     *

Difficulties are sent to make us grow.

Move from complaining to proclaiming

what God is doing through the problem.

Remind yourself, for every Calvary,

there is an Easter.

–Barbara Johnson (source unknown)

* * *

Lord God, when adversity overwhelms us, we ask that you grant:

  • Confidence in you, our wise and trustworthy Shepherd
  • Strength and courage to take the next step
  • Forward momentum, away from our fears and into the future you’ve lovingly prepared

We look forward to watching you bring miraculous good out of our trials. 

In the name of Jesus we pray, AMEN!

(Proverbs 14:16; Psalm 23:1; Isaiah 41:10, 13;

Psalm 139:16; Romans 5:3-4; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Which practices have provided forward momentum for you? Please share in the comment section below!

[1] Matthew 6:34

[2] Psalm 9:1-2

[3] Psalm 121:1-2

[4] 2 Corinthians 3:4-5

[5] Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 58:11

[6] Acts 20:35

[7] Proverbs 11:17a

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