Category: Encouragement

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Say It Again!

Did you ever watch the movie Ever After with Drew Barrymore. It was a cinderella-type story. In one of the final scenes, the man she loves finds her in her nemesis castle. All through the movie she has disguised her identity and has been going by an assumed name. But now as he approaches her, the music swells and he says, I love you, Danielle. She says “Say it again” and he repeats “I love you”. “No, not that. Say my name again.”

Now listen to this story of how being called by name changed a woman’s life.

It was early in the morning, about sunrise. The women who loved and followed Jesus, the ones who had their lives changed by His ministry, went to the tomb. They were taking spices to anoint His body properly for burial. Their hearts were aching and they had to do something to show their love and devotion for their Lord. Only one thing – who would roll away the stone? Surely the soldiers who were guarding his body would only laugh and mock but they had to try. When the women approached and saw the stone rolled away their hearts sank – “Where’s Jesus? Where have they taken Him?” Desperation came rushing in.

“The angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, the one who was killed on the cross. 6 But he is not here. He has risen from death, as he said he would. Come and see the place where his body was.” Matthew 28:5-6 ERV

The women went to the disciples and reported that they had seen an angel, the empty tomb and that Jesus was risen!!! From the pit of depression to the height of ecstasy. The Savior, the Messiah, Jesus was alive! However, the men who heard their report didn’t believe them. I’m not sure why but they didn’t.

Mary Magdalene must have followed Peter and John back to the tomb. If they didn’t believe her and the other women who reported what the angels had told them, “He is not here. He is risen”, could they have been wrong? She needed to know what had happened to Jesus. The tomb was empty and His body was gone. Mary had to know – where is my Lord?

“ … she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the man in charge of the garden. So she said to him, “Did you take him away, sir? Tell me where you put him. I will go and get him.” John 20:13-16 ERV

I find myself at a loss of words, I can’t adequately convey the heart ache, the despair, the confusion, the anguish that Mary must have been experiencing. Jesus had saved her, He had delivered her from demons. She had never known life, true life, until Jesus set her free and now He was gone and she didn’t even get to say good bye!

And then it all changed with just a word:

“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned toward him and said in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni,’ which means “Teacher.” John 20:16 ERV

One word, just one word – Jesus spoke her name and she knew! “Mary.” The flood of emotion was overwhelming; relief, joy, love, and peace. Tears.

Have you ever really been at the bottom? I mean the very bottom where you weren’t sure you even wanted to go on living? Everything in your life has come crashing in and all hope is gone – have you been there? I have. And with one word, one short message I heard Jesus speak my name! “Kristi.” Sweet and softly spoken, I knew that I have not been forgotten. Jesus knows me, He loves me and He called me by name.

The story of the resurrection is this: Jesus died and rose again, defeating death, hell and the grave; He faced it all to call us by name and let us know we are truly loved and forgiven.

“Do not be afraid. For I have bought you and made you free. I have called you by name. You are Mine!” Isaiah 43:2 NLV

I hope you can hear Jesus calling you by name today. There’s no greater joy than hearing Him say, I love you!

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How Safe is a Sinking Ship?

Dave and I like to watch historically factual movies. We have seen stories on the life of Mary, Queen of Scots; a prison ship that sailed from England to New South Wales; a series on the founding of the western frontier; one based on the fur trappers and traders that opened northern trades routes and another on the Revolutionary War.

At some point during each one of these we have made the comment that we certainly have an easy life compared to those who came before us. We had to consider how we would have reacted if we had been alive during those times.

One morning while I was praying and thanking God for the life I have, I began to consider these people and their hardships and then I thought of Paul, the apostle. His life was impacted by persecution and peril. I focused in on his strength and resolve. I want you to see his comments. I think you will find hope and encouragement by seeing how the Lord met him in his greatest struggles.

“…I have been in prison more times. I cannot remember how many times I have been whipped. Many times I have been in danger of death. 24 Five different times the Jews whipped me across my back thirty-nine times. 25 Three times they beat me with sticks. One time they threw stones at me. Three times I was on ships that were wrecked. I spent a day and a night in the water. 26 I have made many hard trips. I have been in danger from high water on rivers. I have been in danger from robbers. I have been in danger from the Jews. I have been in danger from people who do not know God. I have been in danger in cities and in the desert. I have been in danger on the sea. I have been in danger among people who say they belong to Christ but do not…” II Corinthians 11:22-33 NLV

People either hated Paul or loved him. His message was one of life and peace and even though he was greatly opposed he kept going. Where did he find the strength? He tells us.

“He answered me, ‘I am all you need. I give you My loving-favor. My power works best in weak people.’ I am happy to be weak and have troubles so I can have Christ’s power in me.” II Corinthians 12:8 NLV

Do you see the answer to Paul’s prayer? “When I am weak, then I am strong”. Paul wasn’t always saved from the storm but he was always safe in the storm.

“We did not see the sun or stars for many days. A very bad storm kept beating against us. We lost all hope of being saved. 21 No one had eaten for a long time. Then Paul stood up and said to them, ‘Men, you should have listened to me and not left Crete. You would not have had this trouble and loss. 22 But now I want you to take hope. No one will lose his life. Only the ship will be lost. 23 I belong to God and I work for Him. Last night an angel of God stood by me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand in front of Caesar. God has given you the lives of all the men on this ship.’ 25 So take hope, men. I believe my God will do what He has told me. 26 But the ship will be lost on some island.’ 27 It was now the fourteenth night…Just before the light of day came, Paul told all of them to eat. He said, ‘Today is the fourteenth day you have not eaten. 34 You must eat. It will give you strength. Not one of you will lose a hair from your head’…Calling out to those who could swim, he told them to jump into the sea and swim to shore. 44 The others should use wood or anything from the ship. In this way, they all got to shore without getting hurt.” Acts 27: 20-44 NLV

Now this should be a movie!

We have Jesus’ word that He came to provide us with a good life, a life of victory and peace. He promised to give us strength for whatever comes our way. So many times we want a life that is “storm free” and we start to cave when troubles come. Many of the people in the Bible faced perilous times. Even Jesus faced the cross but rose victorious!

Here’s one final thought from the Apostle Paul. One that will give encouragement and hope. When we feel weak, helpless, hopeless, discouraged, misunderstood, pick on or abandoned we can find strength in our weakness because Christ will come to make us strong.

When we are weak, we are strong in God!

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Lord, It’s Hard To Be Humble

For the last month or two I have been reading the history of the kings of Judah and Israel. If anyone ever tells you that “God could never want or use you – just look at all the stuff you have done” I would tell you to have them read I & II Samuel, I & II Kings, I & II Chronicles. Those kings were a piece of work. Not a humble one in the bunch – oh, they may have started out that way or ended up that way but everyone of them had a battle with ego.

The Bible is filled with promises for those who are humble. Psalm 138:6 says that the Lord takes care of the humble. He gives honor and wisdom to the humble. Proverbs 11:2, 15:33

What does humility look like?

It looks like Jesus. He gave up all the glory of heaven and His place at the right hand of God the Father to come to earth. There was no room for pride in His life.

Jesus played with children, gave comfort to the grieving, befriended rough and burly fisherman, spent His time with the lepers, lame, blind and societies outcasts. He never compromised His deity but He never lorded His position over those He was teaching.

The Apostle Paul gave this instruction to Christians in the early church.

“God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So your new life should be like this: Show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. 13 Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If you feel someone has wronged you, forgive them. Forgive others because the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:12-13 ERV

A humble person doesn’t need to be in the limelight. They help make others look good and feel elevated. A humble person is one who encourages others, someone who isn’t afraid to get in and help out where needed. They don’t need the praise of others, they do the right thing because it’s right.

“All of you young people should obey your elders. In fact, everyone should be humble toward everyone else. The Scriptures say, “God opposes proud people, but he helps everyone who is humble.” 6 Be humble in the presence of God’s mighty power, and he will honor you when the time comes. 7 God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.” I Peter 5:5-7

God helps those who are humble. A meek or humble person will be misunderstood and even be treated wrongly. Look at Jesus, he was despised and hated by the religious rulers of his day because He didn’t measure up to their ideals. He ate with sinners, showed compassion to harlots, healed on the Sabbath. In the face of their objections, He continued on.

Isn’t it better to be humble and know we are pleasing God than to measure up to all of societies ideals and expectations? Yes, it is. When our lifestyle reflects humility we may offend some, we may be passed over because we don’t have the “leadership” skills necessary. If that’s the case, so be it.

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10 NIV

I love that verse! The Lord will lift us up. Our loving Father will pick us up in His arms and give us a big hug. Or He’ll come in and wrap His arm around our shoulder and encourage us to continue on with what we’re doing. We’re acting like Him.

Thank  you Father for coming to our aid and taking our cares. We rely on you.

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Time to Sit

The last few weeks have been very busy but yesterday we had a good rain and everything came to a stand still. It was time to sit.

Relax and reflect!

This year has been one of so many changes. A lot of things have been turned up-side-down. But some things should never change – one being our faith and trust in the unfailing, inerrant Word of God. The Word of God should and will be the final authority by which all is judged. It is the word of God that spoke this world into existence and it is what is holding it together still.

Many struggle with issues in life, depression, recession, dis – ease, fear, hopelessness, anything but the abundant life that God has promised to us in His word. The authority of God’s word and His promises are unchangeable and infallible.

If we live by the Bible we are considered old fashioned, uninformed, not academically in tune or worse yet intolerant and politically incorrect. But, I know of no other Book that has stood the test of time and not had to be revised or rewritten – it is the living Word of God. We either acknowledge it as absolute and live in victory or we disregard it as old fashioned and passe` and live defeated in those areas of our life.

“When Jesus had finished these talks to the people, he came to Capernaum, where it happened that there was a man very seriously ill and in fact at the point of death. He was the slave of a centurion who thought very highly of him. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him with the request that he would come and save his servant’s life. When they came to Jesus, they urged him strongly to grant this request, saying that the centurion deserved to have this done for him. “He loves our nation and has built us a synagogue out of his own pocket,” they said.
6-8 So Jesus went with them, but as he approached the house, the centurion sent some of his personal friends with the message, “Don’t trouble yourself, sir! I’m not important enough for you to come into my house—I didn’t think I was fit to come to you in person. Just give the order, please, and my servant will recover. I am used to working under orders, and I have soldiers under me. I can say to one, ‘Go’, and he goes, or I can say to another, ‘Come here’, and he comes; or I can say to my slave, ‘Do this job’, and he does it.” 9 These words amazed Jesus and he turned to the crowd who were following behind him, and said, “I have never found faith like this anywhere, even in Israel!”
10 Then those who had been sent by the centurion returned to the house and found the slave perfectly well.” Luke 7:1-10 ERV

Jesus was amazed because this man recognized the authority of His words. The same word of God that had authority all those years ago still has power today.

“But as for me, I will sing of Your strength. Yes, I will sing with joy of Your loving-kindness in the morning. For You have been a strong and safe place for me in times of trouble. 17 O my Strength, I will sing praises to You. For God is my strong place and the God Who shows me loving-kindness.” Psalm 59:16-17 NLV

It’s good to sit and reflect on the power of God’s word. I choose to put my faith in the authority of God’s Word. There is nothing greater!

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The Problems We Face

When I was a kid we would occasionally have the television screen would fill with a test pattern and a voice would come on and say “Do not adjust your set. This is a test of the emergency broadcast system.” There would be a prolonged beep and once that was over programming would resume.

Oh for the days of a blank screen – television, computer, ipad, phone. To have it quiet and drama free. (Except on the days when there’s a NASCAR race on. ;)) But wait…there is a way to do that – we can turn it off!

Turn it off and open God’s Word instead. It is such a great way to counter what’s on the tv or in the paper.

“After we came to Macedonia, we didn’t have any chance to rest. We were faced with all kinds of problems. We were troubled by enemies and troubled by fears. 6 But God cheers up people in need, and that is what he did when he sent Titus to us. 7 Of course, we were glad to see Titus, but what really made us glad is the way you cheered him up. He told how sorry you were and how concerned you were about me. And this made me even happier.”
II Corinthians 7:5-7 CEV

There is so much around us that keeps us from resting – problems, enemies and fear…but God! God cheers up his people in need. We see in these verses that it was comfort in the form of a person, Titus, who encouraged Paul as he was going through some pretty tough stuff.

That comfort can come in the form of a card or letter, a phone call, FaceTime or Skype, a text or an in-person visit. When the Lord brings someone to mind stop and pray for them. Then, if they continue to stay in your thoughts reach out, in some tangible way, and let them know you are thinking of them and that you love them.

It means so much to me when someone calls and says I was just thinking about you and wanted to say hello. The same is true of those text messages and calls that come “just thinking about you”. I don’t know how many times I’ve been talking to someone, just general conversation, and they begin to tell me about something that’s on their heart. It’s an opportunity to empathize, provide a listening ear and an encouraging word. I don’t have to preach a sermon but I can take what’s been shared to the Lord and ask His guidance in their situation.

I will close this blog this morning the same way the Apostle Paul ended his letter to the Christians who were a part of the church at Corinth.

“Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.” II Corinthians 13:11 NLT

Let God use you today to encourage those who are going through life’s difficulties. He depends on us to share His love.

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Good Old Days

In today’s world we have better living conditions, better advancements in health care, better education than the generations before us. But we also have more stress, more acts of violence, more fear and less family stability.

In the “good old days” people prayed for rain and the success of their crops, families worked and played together, communities gathered together to help a neighbor in need and children were educated by teachers who prayed and used the Bible as the core curriculum in reading.

Truth was the foundation for society, government and the family.

“Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me. ” John 14:6 ERV

The word “the” is a defining force. Truth isn’t subjective, it’s an absolute. You are either telling the truth or it’s a lie. If you leave facts out to skew the story or sway the outcome, it isn’t truth. Remember the days when people in court had to place their hands on the Bible and swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? People swore or affirmed their statement by the Bible because it was and is the only standard of truth that has never changed since it was written.

“The way”. Our life’s is a journey and we can chose the path but when we follow paths of our own making we become distracted, confused and even lost.

“Today I am giving you a choice of two ways. And I ask heaven and earth to be witnesses of your choice. You can choose life or death. The first choice will bring a blessing. The other choice will bring a curse. So choose life! Then you and your children will live. 20 You must love the Lord your God and obey him. Never leave him, because he is your life. And he will give you a long life in the land that he, the Lord, promised to give to your ancestors—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 ERV

I love that verse. When we choose “the way” and “the truth” we gain life. And when we don’t, we face an enemy who seeks to destroy us and we are without defense.

“Everyone who came before me was a thief or a robber, and the sheep did not listen to any of them. 9 I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:8-10 CEV

When Kaci, our youngest, was very little she woke up crying. I got up and took her to the living room to rock her back to sleep. She didn’t want to be there – she strained and leaned in my arms, wanting me to take her to another room. I did and her actions were the same. Wanting to go from the living room to the family room to the kitchen and then the dining room and finally back to the living room.

No matter which room we were in, she wasn’t content. When we arrived back in the living room (only about 10 minutes had past), she snuggled into my chest and fell asleep. I remember saying to her, “This is where we started. I knew this was the best place for you. Why couldn’t you trust me and see that?” And then I heard God speak in my heart and ask me the same question.

“Why don’t you trust Me to know what’s best for you and to have you in the right place?” WOW!

I wish I could say that I never had to learn that lesson again but that wouldn’t be the truth. However, the longer I walk with Him the easier it is for me to see when I am on a path of my own making and not where He wants me.

I encourage you to join me in making “The Way” your choice, committed to “The Truth” and finding “The Life” that is abundant and everlasting!

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Anything Good

Good Things. What are the good things in your life? Loved ones. Home. Health. Peace. Joy, Contentment.

I grew up occasionally seeing Oral Roberts on television. He was famous for saying “Something good is going to happen to you this very day”. That was a novel concept to people and in fact, it made some good church going people mad every time he said it.

You see we had been raised to believe that God was the destroyer – if we weren’t doing what we should then He would wipe out of crops, cause our cars to break down, make us sick or bring our marriages to a rough and rocky end. But in all truth, that isn’t God at all.

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” John 10:10 AMPC

God has been blamed, unjustly, for the things that the devil has been doing for at least the past century.

I was amazed this morning when I opened my Bible app by the amount of “good verses” that were there to greet me. Here are the first two:

“I am sure that the good work God began in you will continue until he completes it on the day when Jesus Christ comes again.” Philippians 1:6 ERV

“Some of you have said to the Lord,  ‘You are my Lord.  Every good thing I have comes from you.'” Psalm 16:2 ERV

“Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same.” James 1:17 ERV

Good Things. Good days. Good gifts. Anything good! It all comes from God.

My friends are some of the greatest gifts I have ever received. The love of my family is greater still. The people who know me best, have seen me at my worst and they love me. That is truly a gift from God.

One gift is greater. The unconditional, unending love of God is the greatest good thing ever. It is inconceivable to think that the One who willingly died for us would not want to fill our days with His goodness.

“No one can have greater love than to give his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I tell you.” John 15:13-14 NLV

“The Lord is the Rock, and his work is perfect! Yes, all his ways are right! God is true and faithful. He is good and honest.” Deuteronomy 32:4 ERV

Wouldn’t it be great if we started each day with a “good” word? Sounds like a wonderful opportunity for encouragement. Find a “good” verse for each day. The Bible is filled with them. It’s easy to do – go to a Bible app and do a search on the word good. You’ll be surprised how many verses pop up. Pick one and make it your day’s verse. It can’t help but give you strength and joy and it will get you looking for the “something good” that our heavenly Father is bringing your way.

When we put our faith in God and search for Him each day we will find Him and His goodness. And then we can share His goodness with others.

“Without faith no one can please God. Whoever comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who sincerely try to find him.” Hebrews 11:6 ERV

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Drink, Swear, Lie & Steal

How many of you are wondering what this morning’s blog is going to be about? What connection is there between a butterfly and those four words – lie, swear, drink and steal?

Last night while Dave and I were watching television the words from a Michael Peterson song recorded in 2012 came to mind, “Drink, Swear, Steal & Lie”. I’m always looking for a good play on words and I found one in this song. This song is about a man in love and this is his declaration:

“I want to drink from your loving cup
Swear I’ll never give you up
Steal all your kisses underneath the moon
I wanna lie here close to you look at what you made me do
Darling you’re the reason why
I drink, swear, steal and lie“

We were watching a southern, down-home Bible study. Something that was said prompted the memory of this song and then sent my thinking in the direction of Psalm 23.

“The Lord is my shepherd. I will always have everything I need. 2 He gives me green pastures to lie in. He leads me by calm pools of water. 3 He restores my strength. He leads me on right path] to show that he is good. 4 Even if I walk through a valley as dark as the grave,  I will not be afraid of any danger, because you are with me. Your rod and staff comfort me. 5 You prepared a meal for me in front of my enemies. You welcomed me as an honored guest. My cup is full and spilling over. 6 Your goodness and mercy will be with me all my life,  and I will live in the Lord’s house a long, long time.” Psalm 23 ERV

I can lie all I want as long as I lie down in green pastures to rest. I can drink all I want as I drink from the cool, still waters that He provides. I can steal all I want as long as I steal my thoughts so they aren’t captivated by fear. And I swear that I will live for the Lord all the days of my life.

Those four words – lie, swear, drink, steal – can be used to create the image of a life that is void of God or they can paint the portrait of a person who is completely sold out to following Christ.

The Apostle Paul gives us this instruction for living a godly life.

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” Romans 12:1-2 MSG

Did you notice – we’ll be changed from the inside out. Just like a butterfly. There’s a metamorphosis that takes place when we give our lives to Christ. The fuzzy little caterpillar of our existence is changed into a beautiful butterfly that gives glory to God. The culture of the day looks at the caterpillar side of the image and God looks at our life from the transformed side.

Drink in God’s goodness; Lie in His pastures to rest; Steal away from life’s distractions to spend time in God’s presence and Swear to stand on God’s promises. This is the formula for a victorious Christian life!


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Getting the Right Picture

Do any of you enjoy taking pictures? I look at great photography as real art. The ability to capture the beauty that is seen with the natural eye through a camera’s lens is a true gift!

We took quite a few pictures when the girls were here and the thing I realized was how quickly we had been in taking some of them. Blurry – delete. Off center – crop. No one was ready – trash. One of the advantages of digital photography is it gives us the ability to capture many images that are similar and then delete the ones we don’t like.

The true photographer is patient; waiting for the right angle, the perfect light and then they bring it all into focus! A masterpiece.

A lot of people take life the same way – hurry up and click. Snap, snap, snap. Delete, trash it, do over. Or they spent their lives taking selfies and never learn to include the beauty of the people around them.

With a Christ-centered focus, we can zoom in on what’s important. Bring the tiniest of details up close and appreciate the intricate design – the design of health, friendship, innocence, honesty, joy, patience, love.

This reminds me of the story Jesus told of the Good Samaritan. The priest and the Levi were too busy taking selfies to be concerned with the hurting of the man who had been robbed but the Samaritan zoomed in, focused on the situation and saw the beauty of caring for someone other than himself.

“The next day, the Samaritan took out two silver coins and gave them to the man who worked at the inn. He said, ‘Take care of this hurt man. If you spend more money on him, I will pay it back to you when I come again.’ 36 Then Jesus said, ‘Which one of these three men do you think was really a neighbor to the man who was hurt by the robbers?’ 37 The teacher of the law answered, ‘The one who helped him.’ Jesus said, “Then you go and do the same.” Luke 10:35-37 ERV

It’s important to stay focused. People and situations need to be viewed through the lens of God’s word. The Bible tells us there will be a time when people will call good evil and evil good. We see some of that happening now. Their image is out of focus – it is being processed through a filter of selfishness and disrespect.

We mustn’t allow the world to distort how we view things. Instead we need to post clear images that are focused on God’s love and forgiveness; images that will give hope to the world and not despair.

Lord, improve my focus today. Let me love my neighbor as you have loved me.

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Light Afflictions

A couple of days ago I had my annual physical. My doctor gave me a good report and didn’t even say anything about the few pounds I had gained since last year. (Thanks, Doc) One thing that was part of my exam was an injection, a pneumonia vaccine.

Ouch!

He told me it would hurt for the next 24 hours and if it was too bad I could take an over-the-counter pain reliever. I thought how bad could it be. After all just a few weeks ago I had been stung by a bee while out refilling my humming bird feeders, in the same arm no less. Monday evening my arm was sore but yesterday when I woke up, it hurt! I was trying not to be a baby about the whole thing but every time I raised my arm or reached for something with my left hand I audibly complained.

That brings me to this morning. Here I am, Sitting in my chair, reaching over for my Bible, raising my arm above my head and the pain is gone. A light momentary affliction.

So much in life can fall into that category. Missing out on a promotion or a raise, loosing a job, ending a relationship, physical adversity, social distancing – there are so many disappointments in life, set backs and even life-threatening circumstances. However, one thing will never change. In all of these, our light afflictions, our heavenly Father will not abandon us or leave us to struggle through them on our own.

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self[a] is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” II Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV

The struggles I listed above really aren’t life and death situations. The Apostle Paul faced those kinds of persecution. He knew what it was like to put his life on the line every where he went. He was stoned and left for dead on several occasions, imprisoned continually, beaten with rods, ship wrecked and floating in the sea, snake bit. This is what he said:

“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” II Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV

I don’t know what situations are facing you. I don’t know what you’ve been going through and still have ahead but our Father does. He knows each step and He promises us His strength for the journey.

“But the Lord is faithful. He will give you strength and protect you from the Evil One.” II Thessalonians 3:3 ESV

Each of us have a promise, an unbreakable promise, that when we trust Him He will give us strength for our weakness.

No affliction, light or heavy, is too great for the ability of our God.

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