My family had a tough week, but God is still good. After a battle with dementia, my aunt died on Wednesday. While we will miss her, she is rejoicing with her Savior. My aunt had placed her trust in Jesus Christ. Those of us who trust Christ will have the same blessing when our earthly life is done.
Friend, if you do not know the joy of trusting Christ do not hesitate. He is waiting for you with open arms.
We face many difficulties in life. The pain seems to push us into the thinking that God is not good. We question whether good can come from difficulty or not. However, God has shown us so many times how good He is. When we forget, God’s Word brings a much needed reminder.
God has also gifted many with writing beautiful words and music. I love the song “You are Always Good”. The music was written by Jonathan Hamilton who suffered much in life (but now is rejoicing in God’s presence). The words were written by Chris Anderson who has written many modern, Biblically-based hymns. This song is the prayer of my heart – for myself, but also for many I know who struggle to remember that God is good. He will remind us when we ask.
“Comparison is the thief of joy.” -Theodore Roosevelt
Trying to compare ourselves to other people is useless. In fact, it will only drag us down. The only comparison we should make is to Christ. Such a comparison is humbling and freeing at the same time. I fall short of Christ’s standard of perfection (Romans 3:23). However, to know that He loved me in such a special way that He would die for me (John 3:16) brings freedom from the awful weight of comparison. Jesus Christ knew who I would be (including my sins) and died for me any way (Romans 5:8). Such a beautiful thought.
So the next time you start down the path of comparison, make sure Christ is in view. He will give you the best view of yourself. His.
No matter where we are in life, we have good days and bad. Living in a sin cursed earth with sinful people means there will be hardship. But God is good no matter what happens so we can rest in Him and find joy. When it is hard to find comfort in trials, God’s Word is a great help. His Words allow us to know the safety of His care and help us rest in Him.
No matter what you are going through right now, know that God loves you and comfort is yours if you just ask.
Since this is Easter weekend, I wanted to write something about Jesus death, burial and resurrection. There are so many beautiful truths in the Easter story.
Today I want to look at the negative and positive. First the negative:
Jesus endured horrible pain, because each of us has chosen sin. We are not able to pay the penalty that sin causes (Romans 6:23).
If the Easter story ended with Jesus death on the cross, then we would only have the negative. Death. However, Jesus rose from the dead. He conquered death and pain.
The joy of Easter Sunday is in remembering Jesus is alive! He broke the chains of sin and death. Now we have great cause for rejoicing!
I pray you know the joy and triumph of Easter.
Those who have read my blog know I like telling stories about “little things”. These are blessings that can seem small, but have a big impact on my life.
My “little things” stories are the moments I am collecting. Things can be fun, but moments have greater value.
“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:20-21 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.6.20-21.ESV
One of these days, I am going to sound like a broken record. I don’t mind. I listened to records as a child and I know the sound well.
God has impressed on me the power of little things. Both positive and negative.
This “little thing” story is from my church. I have a friend who often greets me before Sunday School. She uses my name and has a big smile on her face. One might think of this as a little thing, but I feel so special and important when I hear her cheery voice. She brings a smile to my face.
Oh, friends, I pray that you see the benefit of the little things. If God leads, please follow. You can help someone in a big way with something as simple as a smile and a hello.
When I started my WordPress blog, I debated what to call it. As I thought about a blog name, I knew that God had been teaching me about prayer and going to Him for everything.
Philippians 4:6-7 is painted on my living room wall. The general idea of those verses is to worry about nothing, pray about everything, and you will have peace.
Pray about everything. I had used Philippians 4:6-7 as my go to verse for big decisions (such as when I bought my house). However, I have been learning how much prayer I need for everything in life. I cannot succeed at anything unless I have Christ as my foundation. When I spend more time in prayer, I am more in tune with God.
Being in tune with God makes a beautiful melody.
I recently read James 3:13 and was struck by the concept of “the gentleness that wisdom brings”. People who are truly wise have a Biblical confidence which is expressed by a gentle spirit. The opposite is true about those who are foolish. Abraham Lincoln said, “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt”. The foolish speak with a brashness that shows a lack of wisdom. I know it can be hard to remain silent and there are times we need to speak up. The wise will speak with gentleness.
I want to seek gentle, Biblical wisdom. Nothing else is truly wise.
Like many I have been watching the news of Billy Graham’s death. While I believe in honoring a man who was passionate about the gospel, I am convicted about having the proper motivation. Even Jesus Christ prayed “Glorify Your Son, so that your Son may glorify You” – John 17:1 (NET).
As we reflect on the life of godly men let us not focus on them, but on Christ. Christ is the reason they are godly and the source of their success.
None of us may seem to have the impact for the gospel that Billy Graham did, but ultimately the impact is up to God. So continue to serve God with all you have. He will use it for His glory and you will hear “well done”.
Pleading in Prayer 