Month: May 2021

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing.

Romans 15:13

One of my closest friends had to say goodbye to her husband as He went to be with Jesus a few days ago.  A short and unexpected illness took his life.  I’ve been thinking about the Scriptures that offer comfort, assurance, and living hope to family and friends who belong to the Lord. Here are some promises we can all cling to in this time of grief and loss. 

To be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8)

The Lord sees us and knows what we are going through (Psalm 139:1-12).

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3).

He promises to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 tells us that Jesus Himself and God our Father, has loved us and given us eternal comfort and hope.  He is the source of our comfort and strength.

I’m reminded of the words of the song by Steven Curtis Chapman: “His strength is perfect when our strength is gone.  He’ll carry us when we can’t carry on… His strength in us begins where ours comes to an end.  He hears our humble cry and proves again His strength is perfect…”  (the complete lyrics are available online.) 

I recently completed a study of 1 Peter with the women in my weekly Bible study.  Chapter 1:3-9 is what my friend’s husband is now experiencing in person with the Lord.  All who belong to God through faith in Jesus can claim this promise and have hope and comfort even in our grief:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. (NASB)

Yes, as believers we grieve and are heartbroken at the loss of a loved one.  But We will not grieve like the rest who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13).  We can trust our Father to carry us through each day, one day at a time, depending completely on His love, His presence and His strength.

I am reminded to be thankful each day for God’s presence in my life and the living hope I have, the promise of eternity with Him when life here is ended.  I’m reminded that life on earth is temporary and for those who belong to the Lord, our citizenship is in heaven, our eternal home. We will be with Him in heaven forever where there will be no more death, no more sin, no more tears or illness. Blessed be the name of the Lord!

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Are you experiencing difficult circumstances that cause you grief and loss?  I encourage you to read these verses often and ask God to speak comfort and hope to your heart.

Maybe you have a family member or friend who needs to hear these words.  You can pray and ask God for an opportunity to share these promises to encourage them.

Perhaps you’d consider writing a prayer of thanks for the comfort and hope you have in the Lord.

But now, Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter, and all of us are the work of your hand.

Isaiah 64:8

The DVD called The Potter is amazing!  I just watched it again this week with the ladies in my weekly Bible studies, and each time I see it, I’m so encouraged and blessed!  A professional potter narrates while he is forming a vase beginning with a lump of clay all the way to completion.  He explains the analogies between the way a potter creates beautiful and useful pottery and the way God works with His people to transform us throughout our lives to become more like Jesus.  Here are some of the main points he makes that are so important to remember as we go through life with God.

The potter started with a lump of clay, and he pounds it and kneads it, checking to see if it is the quality necessary for the item he has in mind.  His first analogy is that the clay must be centered on the potter’s wheel.  He reminds us of the importance for us to be centered on God, still and yielded to the work of His hands.

In the example of creating a large vase, the potter created an opening in the clay.  His hand carefully reached into the clay, clear to the bottom.  That represents how we must be indwelt by the Holy Spirit internally. 

To make a taller vase requires a step called “pulling.”  It happens through pressure from both of the potter’s hands, one inside and one on the outside.  The narrator spoke of the stretching that occurs from pressure in our life which could easily destroy us if we did not have the inward strength of the Holy Spirit to counteract that external pressure.  That requires us to surrender to God’s plan for our life, trusting that He knows best.

At times, we experience “revival”, a time when we are aware of God’s hands creating new life.  At other times we may feel spiritually dry, as if the Potter has forgotten us.  But we can be assured that His eye is on us at all times.  At a certain point, the potter will trim away excess clay, making the object thinner so it won’t be so heavy.  God knows when to trim away excess in our lives that keep us from being fully devoted to Him.

When the vessel is complete, the potter carves his name on the bottom to show he is the one who made it.  Scripture tells us that our names are written on the palms of God’s hands (Isaiah 49:16a).  He has made us, and we are His!

We go through seasons of life — sometimes visible growth, at times feeling dormant.  But God is waiting for the perfect moment to continue the process of transforming us.  Another vital step in the potter’s process is placing the vessel in a kiln heated at extremely high temperature.  In the DVD, the potter describes how the vessels might feel as they’re placed in the kiln.  “It feels dangerous…It feels like the potter has left us…”  But the vessels can’t know how beautiful, strong and useful they will become.  The clay molecules fuse, become glass-like, no longer porous.  The vessels are transformed by the intense heat.  And all the while, the potter is right there, keeping a close watch on the temperature, knowing exactly how long the process will take.  And the same is true with the Lord, our Potter.  He is faithful, will not abandon us.  He takes what is weak and breakable, and makes us strong and beautiful through the fiery trials of our lives.

Our Potter knows the plans for us, and He has given each of His children gifts of the Spirit that will be used to accomplish those plans.  This message is such a powerful reminder to me to trust the Lord, my Potter, with every day of my life.  Through every circumstance, He is sovereignly in control, He loves us, and promises never to leave us, and He is good!  Romans 8:28 promises that “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” 

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Are there circumstances in your life right now that make you think the Potter has forgotten you or raised the temperature higher than you can bear?  How does this message encourage you?

What stage of the transformation process are you experiencing now?  Are you newly in the process of being formed? Is your life centered on God?  Are you aware that His hands are shaping you? Are you feeling “pulled and stretched?”  Maybe you’re in a period of intense trial which seems like a fiery, fearful experience. 

Will you trust the Potter to know exactly what’s happening at every moment and is working out His plan for your life?  Write a prayer of response to Him.

John 21:17

“Living in God’s Extravagant Grace; Encouragement from God’s Word.” That’s the title of my book of devotional messages that I have compiled and is now available for purchase on Amazon.com. 

Today, I was re-reading the introduction and decided to share it with all of you.  It is my story of God’s power to restore a broken marriage and transform my life when it all seemed absolutely impossible.  And without God, it would be impossible!  I’m thinking about how we all have a story about how God is working in our life through so many different circumstances to bring us to a deeper knowledge and love relationship with Him.  And then He can use us to encourage others in their life journey.  He can use us to “feed His sheep.”

So here is the introduction to my book:

The divorce papers were on the table waiting to be signed.  Even after many years of knowing Jesus, I became involved in an affair that nearly destroyed my marriage.  It would take another book to tell how the Lord and my husband graciously forgave me.  Through a long process of counseling, our marriage was restored. My life with the Lord has changed forever as I truly began to understand His love, His grace, and His power to accomplish healing which had seemed impossible to me.

I identify with the apostle, Peter, who had been chosen by Jesus, walked closely with Him for three years, and then denied Him. Jesus predicted ahead of time that Peter would deny Him.  Jesus also knew that I would deny him.  But after returning home and beginning the long journey of healing our marriage, the Lord led me to Jesus’ words to Peter in Luke 22:32: “I have prayed for you, that your faith will not fail; and you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Peter’s story didn’t end with failure.  Instead, Jesus personally met him, forgave him, and gave him an opportunity to declare his love and devotion to Him.  Jesus restored Peter and gave him a commission to “Feed My sheep” (John 21:17). 

I knew the Lord was speaking those same words to my heart, and I knew I was forgiven, just as Peter was.  I understood the same commission to be used by God to strengthen the faith of others.  Through the years, He has given me opportunities to “strengthen my sisters” through leading and writing weekly Bible studies, writing and posting devotional messages on my website, and encouraging women in their walk with the Lord.

My prayer is that these messages from God’s Word will touch your heart and encourage you to know, love, and follow Jesus wholeheartedly, and then to ask God for ways that you can encourage others – to “feed His sheep” by leading them to Jesus.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

God doesn’t waste any of the pain, suffering, even failures we have gone through! Think about difficult and painful circumstances you have experienced in your life.  How has God brought you through them? 

He can use us to “feed His sheep” with encouragement, comfort and hope.  Have you had opportunities to encourage others with what you learned from God? 

Maybe you are going through a situation right now that seems impossible. I’m including some verses of encouragement from God’s Word.  Pray and ask Him to speak to your heart and give you clear guidance, hope, and peace as you trust Him completely.  You can also consider sharing these verses with someone who needs to be encouraged.

Verses of Encouragement

Ephesians 2:10 We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand, so that we should walk in them.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

John 10:4 When He puts forth all His own, He goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow Him because they know His voice.

John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me.

Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth…I will even make a roadway in the wilderness.

Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God…

Psalm 37:7 Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him…

Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.  I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

2 Chronicles 16:9 The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His (NASB)… whose hearts are fully committed to Him (NIV)

Quote from “Jesus Calling” January 25^th – Through intimacy of our relationship, you are being transformed from the inside out.  As you keep your focus on Me, I form you into the one I desire you to be.  Your part is to yield to My creative work – neither resisting it nor trying to speed it up.  Enjoy the tempo of a God-breathed life by letting Me set the pace.  Hold My hand in childlike trust and the way before you will open up step by step.

Quote from “Jesus Calling” from October 27^th – “As you become increasingly aware of My Presence, you find it easier to discern the way you should go.  This is one of the practical benefits of living close to Me.  Instead of wondering about what is on the road ahead or worrying about what you should do if…or when…, you can concentrate on staying in communication with Me.  When you actually arrive at a choice-point, I will show you which direction to go…

How much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit

to those who ask Him.

Luke 11:13

I posted this message previously, but I want to include it again following the previous weeks’ posts about the Holy Spirit. I need to remind myself of this truth often!

We know from God’s Word that every believer has received the Holy Spirit to live in us at the moment we were saved.  Why should we have to ask for more of the Holy Spirit?  Do we only get a little of the Spirit at a time?  No, I believe that “how much more” means that there is more of God that He wants us to be aware of and experience — His love, His constant presence, His wisdom, His direction, His promises. He wants us to know what He has done for us, the hope we have even in the midst of the most difficult and troubling circumstances, and the promise of eternal life with Him.

A few years ago, our pastor chose “Desperate Dependence” as the theme of the year for our church.  It has been life-changing for me to learn to live that way. The more we get to know God through studying His Word, we will become more aware of His love for us, the plan He has for our life, His desire for us to become more like Jesus. The more we surrender our lives to follow Him, the more we will recognize our need to depend on Him for everything we need.  That’s why He invites us to ask Him for more of His Holy Spirit.

As I write this, we have just recently celebrated the Christmas season.  I think of how much delight I received in finding the perfect gift for my daughter, something she had seen in a store and wasn’t able to buy it for herself.  When she opened it, we were equally delighted! Now I think of God who knows us better than we know ourselves.  He knows the abundant life He wants us to enjoy the more we surrender our lives to Him.  Through the Holy Spirit living in us, we receive His gifts, the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22). We will grow more deeply in love with the Lord, and grow in our love for others and willingness to serve them with the gifts He has given us.

We can ask the Father for more of the Holy Spirit and be assured that is a prayer He is delighted to answer! I’m encouraged to ask Him daily!

Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:16-19 encourages us with these words:

That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God (my emphasis added).

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Do you recognize your need for more awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life? You can ask Him, and then begin intentionally depending on Him each day to supply what you need to accomplish His plan.

Are you experiencing the abundant life God offers?  John 10:10 tells us “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

How will you respond to God’s offer of more of the Holy Spirit in your life?