Hope Was Born

 

Isaiah 35:10

"And those the Lord has rescued will return.

They will enter Zion with singing;

Everlasting joy will crown their heads.

Gladness and joy will overtake them.

and sorrow and sighing will flee away."

Anne Graham Lotz wrote these words in her book, "The Joy of My Heart": "The hope that was born that night continues to radiate down through the years until it envelops your heart and mine."

I like that. "Envelops your heart and mind." To be completely engulfed by God. That's what happens to us when we accept Jesus. God's Hope rests in us and will be with us through this life and all eternity. His Hope never gives up. It continually reaches you and me to find rest in our hearts.

Enduringword.com on Isaiah 35:10: "The miraculous power of Jesus comes to change us, heal us, and provide for us. That isn't the end of God's work though; He then goes on to make a 'highway of holiness' that the transformed man can walk on. The highway would be helpful to one who was barren, dry, blind, deaf, weak, and crippled; but when the highway is provided for the one who is healed and provided for as we are in Jesus, the blessing is even more amazing."

John 3:6

"Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit."

In her book, "Fixing My Eyes on Jesus," Lotz wrote: "What happen to Mary physically happens to you and me spiritually When you and I place our faith in Jesus Christ and invite Him to come live within us, the Holy Spirit overshadows us and the spiritual life of Jesus is born within us."

I've never really thought of it that way. The Holy Spirit overshadows us just like He did to Mary.

Luke 1:35: "The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.'" And we are called God's children.

Godsbless.ing, John 3:6: "This verse encapsulates the Christian belief that through our rebirth in the Holy Spirit, we become children of God and are granted the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. It highlights the transformative power of spiritual rebirth, where our old selves are renewed, and we become part of God's family. This rebirth signifies a deep and personal connection with God, bringing about a life filled with purpose, hope, and the assurance of salvation.

"Have you ever pondered on the idea of being born again in the Spirit? What does it mean to you to inherit eternal life through Christ? This verse invites us to reflect on the profound impact of our spiritual rebirth and the eternal hope that it brings. It reminds us of the incredible gift of salvation offered to us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Let the transformative power of  od's love and the promise of an eternal inheritance awaiting us in the presence of our Savior remind us as we meditate on this verse."

Hope was born. Hope lives today. Hope never dies. Hope is forever. And we, God's children, live in this Hope.

By His Grace . . .

One Life

 This post was first published in December 2024. I like the message. Let's be one life for Christ now and always.

"The testimony of one life lived for Christ is powerful! One life cleansed through faith in the blood of Jesus. One life that confesses, 'Jesus is Lord.' One life that has the courage to stand for godly convictions in the midst of moral compromise. One life that tells the truth. One life that lives the truth. One life that lifts high the Light! You can be that one life!" Anne Graham Lott, The Joy of My Heart

Are you that one life? The one who stands for Christ and sings His praises? The one who studies His Word and seeks the those who are lost? The one who believes completely and has a deep-settled confidence that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world?

I want to me that one life! I want to shine bright for Christ so others can see His glory by what I do. I fail miserably. Yet, just knowing it is obtainable and having the desire to do it, even when I fail, keeps me pressing on.

This month as we celebrate His birth and focus our attention on all He has done for us, remember you are one who believes and let it shine within your life. 

You are one life. Your one life can make a difference. Even if you are hurting this Christmas season, your heart will be encouraged if you'll reach out to someone else to encourage them.

Be that one life! Shine for Jesus! Tell the world He is your Savior, and you are celebrating Him. Bring joy to your heart and to others as we walk through this Christmas season. 

By His Grace . . .

Who Can You Encourage?

This week, when you attend worship services at your church, go to work, volunteer at a local establishment, whether you are excited about the coming Christmas celebrations or hurting and discouraged about the festivities to come, look around and you will see someone whose heart needs encouraging. There are always people who are hurting at this season of the year.

Bring with you an extra baked treat, your smile, or an invitation to Christmas Eve festivities or Christmas dinner. Even a small inexpensive gift, wrapped beautifully, will delight a hurting someone.

Can you recall a time when you were hurting and discouraged, and someone came up to you and offered cheer? I sure do! And it was that invitation to Christmas dinner, and that invitation to attend Christmas Eve services, and that delicious homemade treat that helped me through hard Christmases.

The heart of Christmas is giving, and the most perfect gift is Jesus. He comes in many forms, and is always perfect. Your hands are His to share!

So look around you this year, at coworkers, neighbors, friends, check out workers at your favorite store, and give that special touch to light the heart of someone.

As I've encouraged you to give that special touch, I'll be doing the same thing this week to those who need a touch of God's encouragement. And while you're at it, how about a special note, or a friendly word to your pastor who stands before you every week and teaches God's Word. Each Sunday I'm filled with God's truth, knowing my pastor has studied and prayed about the message he brings.

Turn up your Christmas music, write that encouraging note, bake that delicious treat, make that cheerful telephone call, and make Christmas a happier time for someone else. You have the best gift of all in your heart. Share it with someone with a smile!

 

"Encouragement is oxygen to the soul."

George M. Adams, 1878-1962

By His Grace . . . 

The Deep Well of Grace

 

We all enjoy receiving gifts, especially unexpected gifts. And most of us like to give gifts to make others happy, to see them smile or just let them know they are special to us.

Sometimes we've been given gifts we don’t think we deserve. We may say, “You shouldn’t have” or “That’s way too much.”

We’ve all been given the gift of Grace. We have a choice. We can receive it, or we can deny it. The decision is up to us.

God gives this gift freely because He loves us. Not because we’re entitled to it. Not because we are good. Not because we won it. He freely gives it. We just have to accept it.

The gift of grace is a deep well. We know the simple definition: “God gives us what we don’t deserve.”  In reality He gives us so much more.  Grace affects everything we do as we live our life for Him.

We’re saved because of His Grace. We’re justified because of His Grace. We can approach God’s Throne because of Grace.  His Grace is all we need to live a complete life in Christ. 

Chris Tiegreen, in His book, "Walk With God," wrote: "We are made by grace, saved by grace, sustained by grace, and completely dependent on grace."

We are gifted to serve because of His Grace. We can be confident in our calling because He has given us everything we need to serve Him through His Grace.

"Grace is greater than all our sin" as the lyrics in the refrain of the hymn with that title tells us. Everything we do is covered because of God's Grace to us when we come with a repentant heart.

I like the last verse of "Grace Greater Than Our Sin"

“Marvelous, infinite, matchless Grace,

Freely bestowed on all who believe!

You that are longing to see His face,

Will you this moment His Grace receive?”

His Grace is sufficient for us. It will help get us through all we do. The deep well of Grace never runs dry. It is always available to those who believe.

Grace. Why? It’s simple. God loves us! Accept His gift. Your life will never be the same.

By His Grace . . .

Them There Words Again

 

You know me. I like words. I like phrases I've never heard before. To consider something in a different way then you've considered it before.

It happened last evening. I was reading and the words stopped me. I had to reread them several times to consider them. Don't laugh. Humor me. It's what makes me tick!

"Watch the dawn gather strength." Have you ever read words like this that describe dawn in a different way? "Gather strength." 

How delightful it is to watch the dawn cross the sky. Minute by minute you observe a different display of God's handiwork. Sometimes the colors are incredible. 

Colors gradually increase displaying beauty unseen before until the sun is up and full light is before us. The display is always different. 

In my early morning drives I have been blessed with some magnificent sunrises. I stop the car and sit on the side of the road to watch the display. My camera snaps away to try and capture what I see. But nothing compares to watching it when it develops.

I don't see as many sunsets being a morning person. When sunset comes I'm settled in the house preparing for a quiet evening. Yet, while on vacation, I have had the pleasure of seeing a few sunsets and being overwhelmed at the beauty.

"Watch the dawn gather strength."  It comes about slowly. I think we can take a lesson from that as we live our days. Going about our duties and pleasure doesn't have to be rush, rush, rush. I think our hearts would be happy doing things slower and well, causing us to experience what we do with pleasure, and not exhausting ourselves in the process. Maybe our actions will be as beautiful as a sunrise.

Them there words again. 

By His Grace . . . 

Be a Wildflower

From Country Rose Cottage Facebook page.

I recently became aware of a lovely book out this year titled: "The Way of the Wildflower." Written and illustrated by Ruth Chou Simons, it is Gospel Meditations to Unburden your Anxious Soul. 

I have always loved wildflowers. I love driving along and seeing them in the fields and along the roadway. They're just special to me. Nobody human cares for them. Our Heavenly Father provides all they need as is written in Luke 12:27: "Consider how the wildflowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. (Luke 22-28)

In Simons' introduction she writes: "As I've studied the Scriptures and walked the wildflower-strewn mountains near my home, I've come to some conclusions about their ways and how they grow. Wildflowers are: dependent . . . free . . . resilient . . . unhurried and beloved. Is it any wonder, then, that Jesus tells us to consider the wildflowers that grow in fields, woods, and mountains as our example for trusting  God for everything we need?

"In every struggle, unknown, fear, and fight we face, we can know the comfort of our Faither's care, which unburdens our anxious souls. We can walk in the ways of dependency, freedom, resilience, unhurriedness, and, thankfully, belovedness."

I'm almost half way through the book and have enjoyed the meditations and descriptions of a wildflower after each meditation, like the Snowdrops: "Snowdrops--white, bell-shaped flowers-are symbols of hope and harbingers of spring as they literally pop up through the snow. How do these little flowers survive the cold, snow, and even ice? Built-in protection given to them by their Creator. Snowdrops have literal antifreeze proteins designed to protect them in extremely cold temperatures. When you feel fear creeping in, may the snowdrop remind you: Do not fear. Your Creator will provide for your strength and protection too."

Or the Honeysuckle: "Have you ever taken a walk in the country or woodlands in the spring when honeysuckle is in full bloom? Its sweet fragrance permeates the air, and you can often smell it long before you see it. When you do lay eyes on it, you'll find it climbing trees and hugging fence rails, bursting forth with its beautiful flowers. If you find yourself struggling to let go of the past, think of these persistent climbers. Take a step forward in faith and keep pressing onward."

It's a delightful book to read through, and be encouraged and inspired by, that God will care for you as He does the wildflowers. Even more, because you are His special creation and a child of His Kingdom.

Be a wildflower!

By His Grace . . .

Accepting With Joy

 

"Joy is that deep-settled confidence that God is

in control in every area of my life."

Paul Sailhamer

The other morning I read the following sentence in a devotion written by Chris Tiegreen, Hearing His Voice, about listening and accepting God's will: 

"I'll be okay with whatever You tell me. I just want to know Your will.

 I'll accept it with joy, whatever it is."

My mind paused when I read, "accept it with joy." Different scenes passed through my mind, and I thought how am I going to accept that with joy?

God asks us to do many things, but not all of them are pleasant or joyful. Especially when it comes to matters of the heart when you have been in great heartbreak. 

I can try and do most things God asks, and some things that are difficult, but with joy? Thankfully, those words are Mr. Tiegreen's. We can all do things that are unpleasant out of our devotion to God, and accept it as our duty, but does God ask us to do all things with joy?

There are far too many verses in Scripture which have the word joy in them for me to find a verse which states this. God wants us to do all things with love. We know that. God wants us to be joyful. We know that. But I can't imagine God expects us to do something with joy that has been a hard and difficult experience in our life.

This is one of those things to ponder and see how it applies to your life. God knows our heart. He knows our willingness. He knows our difficulties. He gives us strength to do all things.

Let's be joyful because we are filled with God's love and held with His Everlasting Arms. Let's always ponder words that will help us grow in grace. If He wants us to do everything with joy, He will make it possible. 

By His Grace . . .