You are currently browsing the category archive for the ‘HOPE’ category.
“I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping.” Psalm 6:6
People who face painful trials and trouble in their lives can feel defeated as they experience the sorrow of weariness. In Scripture, King David wrote Psalm 6 crying out to God, “My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD – how long?”.
I believe most of us have asked God the same question. As time grows short it is obvious that the devil has stepped up his attacks on believers. Popular revivalist, Vance Havner, once wrote that added trouble by the enemy is “evidence that we are making progress and have aroused him”. He adds that in our discouragement, “A sense of things present will come doubly strong and heaven will seem far away“. We will feel more like sighing than shouting.
The truth is that if you don’t have faith in the darkness of trouble, then it is not enough for the light of good times. Our faith is proved to be genuine only when it is tested! We all grow weary in the battles of this life. It may even appear that evil is overcoming the world. We are not in a losing battle. Our victory is guaranteed! The devil already knows that we have been declared conquerors. Once you fully understand that God’s plan was put in place long before he formed the world, you can have peace knowing that he has prepared a way to take you through every bondage and get you to where he wants you to be.
In Scripture, King David had many enemies who attacked him and yet his trust was in his God. In Psalm 31:14-15 he cries out,“But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, ‘You are my God’. My times are in your hand.” David’s strength came from the fact that he understood that his battles were being fought and won by God’s power. He knew he wasn’t alone. That truth kept him in perfect peace.
The world is growing in rebellion to the ways of God. Do not fear the coming darkness. We are told in Matthew 24:12, “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold”. Sin is rampant and you need only watch the news to see a new form of iniquity abounding each day. Truth has been replaced by a lie as evil is called good and good evil. The persecution of Christians is surging all over the world. Even in America, Christianity is being marginalized and laws are being made to punish those who believe the Bible is God’s word.
Betsie Ten Boom and her family were put in death camps for hiding Jews in their home during the Nazi occupation in Holland. In that place of misery, she never doubted God. She said to her sister, Corrie, “There are no ‘ifs” in God’s world. And no places are safer than other places. The center of His will is our only safety.” Betsie took God at his word.
My friends, nothing can ever separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. We are covered for each and every pain and struggle that we face. When things seem like they are not working out and that your prayers are not being answered I implore you to put your faith to the test. Let the hope of God fill your heart. He has not allowed anything to happen in your life that will not fulfill his purpose for your good.
It may not seem like it right now but one day it will be the unshakable hope that fills your heart. You will know that you were never forsaken and that each petition and every tear were before the throne of God and answered in his perfect way. His mercy was always with you. You need to understand that the will of God for your life is good. He is preparing you for the royalty of an eternal Kingdom. In I Cor. 2:9, we are promised, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.”
If your struggle is lasting longer than you feel you can bear, please take heart and seek God out in his word. It is there that you will find the peace you need to hold on. You will see that even when God appears silent, he is actually preparing your heart for his perfect answer. The wait has a purpose and is part of the plan. Don’t give up.
Share the good news!
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night”, even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. Psalm 139:11-12
How can you stay in perfect peace when, at some point, we will all face trials in this life? No one escapes the storms in this passing world and bad things can happen to good people. So, when trouble happens, do you make more time for worry than you do for prayer? That is a question of faith that you need to ask yourself.
Times of change and uncertainty can bring fear when the days are growing dark and you feel helpless. You may know by faith that Christ is with you in your troubles, but it is hard to stop the doubts that are flooding your mind. We are reminded in the word of God that we need to look beyond what is happening around us and to focus on the truth of God’s unfailing word. We are not promised tomorrow, but God has said that whatever we go through, He will be with us to the end. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor 4:18) To keep going in these times of darkness takes faith that has been tested in the fire. Anyone can trust God in the good times, but Christ is looking for believers that are able to handle the trials that this life brings and who continue to praise God no matter how big the battle becomes.
In the Old Testament, we find what David did when he was in a serious crisis. He had been running from King Saul for years as Saul kept trying to kill him. He was jealous of David because of the success God gave him in the battles he fought. David tried to hide from Saul, and in doing so, he aligned himself with the Philistines. When they went out to battle, David and his men were not trusted by the Philistines to do battle with them, so he and his men returned to Ziklag where they were living. Upon entering the city, they found that the Amalekites had raided and burned down their town, and took their wives, sons, and daughters captive. In 1 Samuel, Chapter 30, we read that David and his men wept until they had no more strength to weep. As if that were not bad enough, in their distress, the men started talking about stoning David. So what did David do? In verse 6 we read “But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God“.
Instead of giving up, David took his strength from the God he trusted. He didn’t allow a shadow of doubt to weaken his faith. David didn’t look at his situation, he looked to his God. He sought the will of God in this battle by asking the priest to inquire of the LORD if they should pursue the Amalekites. When he was told to go after them, David, and four hundred men went to battle the thousands of the enemy soldiers. Because David believed God, not only did he strike down the Amalekites so that only a small number escaped, but he was able to safely get back all their wives and children. David then captured all the flocks and herds and the rest of the spoil that the Amalekites left behind. David understood that victory always comes from seeking God’s will. Even though he was outnumbered by the army of the enemy, David knew that with God on his side he could not lose. That’s a lesson for us all!
Whatever you are going through in these ending times, be assured that if you belong to Christ, you cannot be defeated. Whatever ordeal God allows you to bear, he has promised that all things will work for your good and his divine purpose. We know that God is faithful and just, and filled with love for you. He made a promise to be with you to the end. There is no battle that is stronger than the force of the omnipotence of God. He sets the time for every trial he allows in your life until it has completed its work. Every one of God’s holy attributes are in the difficulties that he allows you to face. Has seen your struggle long before you were born and he has prepared a perfect way through it for your good. You might not undersand his way, but his mercy and love will never fail you.
There is no need to fear the darkness for the nothing is hidden from the eyes of God. In Psalm 139, King David writes, “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of then, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them”. Before he formed you in the womb, he knew you. God is sovereign over every cell in your body and he knows every thought that passes your mind. Nothing escapes him. Jesus died and paid the price for your sins over two thousand years before you were born. He died to give you hope in the stressful times of this life.
Do you really think there is something going on in your life that God can’t handle? Or do you feel he doesn’t love you enough to help you? And because you are going through anxious times when you feel alone, do you really believe that God is not in control? That’s exactly what the enemy wants you to believe. However, if you have the faith to believe that Christ paid the price for your sins to give you eternal life with him in a kingdom, then you must trust that he sees your hurt and grieves with you in your heartache. God is always working on your case even if you can’t see or feel what he is doing. Romans 8:34 (NLV) reminds us, “Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.” Christ is always interceding for believers. You are never alone to fight your painful battles. You have already been delcared a victor in them all.
As the days grow shorter in these days of deception, remember that God’s love is more than enough to see you through because Christ has overcome the world. Be in peace. He is coming back soon to make all things new.
I am praying for all who needed to hear this message. There is always hope in your situation because of Christ.
Share the good news!
And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved (Matt 24:12-13)
Without a doubt, we are living in ending days as this world deals with a pandemic COVID-19 virus that has wreaked havoc on all nations. Crisis situations have a way of bringing out the good and the bad in people. Some people are turning to God and others still turn to their own ways. Facing uncertain times can fill you with fear. You may have lost all that you had in this world but the good news is that you can never lose the benefits of God’s mercy and provision for all that you need. Trials are a way to learn patience and to grow in your faith. Every battle in your life has the power to do a greater work in you and to reveal more of God’s grace and strength.
We may know where this virus started, but are left with unclear reasons as to how and why God allowed it to happen. He had a reason,however, we may never discern that reason this side of heaven.
So what do we know? We read in Scripture that God’s ways are much higher than those of man. He sees the beginning and end of this world and nothing is hidden from him. You were loved even before God formed you in the womb. While we may not understand the purpose of our sufferings, bear in mind that Jesus clearly told us that in his word that we would have many troubles in our lives. Right now, Satan is still the prince over this earth but he knows his time is growing short. Those who are surrendered to Christ are dealing with the same painful trials as the lost as the enemy seeks to take down believers all through this world in order to make them ineffective witnesses.
We are not exempt from pain and persecution. What is promised by God is that He would be with us to the end in our trials and take us through them. He has overcome the world! You are never alone in your struggles nor are you ever without hope. In the midst of your darkest day, there is a light of hope through Christ that leads you to victory. You may be afflicted in every way but you can never be crushed. You may be struck down but you can never be destroyed. The hope of Christ that is with you is your guarantee that all things you endure are working out for your good both in this world and in heaven.
It takes faith and forbearance for all believers as time grows short. Things will get worse. That should not frighten a true believer for we knew this time would come. While we don’t know the day and hour of his return, Christ has given us signs to know when it is near. As we watch every day as the signs converge and evil increases, the darkness is filling this earth. In spite of that, we know that it is signaling the return of our Blessed Hope, Jesus Christ, who is coming to make all things new.
Whatever overwhelming situation you are dealing with in this time of crisis, remember that Christ saw you before he formed you in the womb and he is going to be the strength you need to get through it. Nothing can happen to you apart from his perfect will even when you don’t understand his ways. God is more powerful than this virus.
The last enemy to be destroyed is death. Satan may rule this world for a short time more but our eternal home is secured in a kingdom that will never end. For now, stay in the battle and finish the race that was prepared for you until Jesus returns to take you home. You can’t lose no matter what happens here.
Soon we will be with Christ. Look up, for your Redemption draws near!
Share the good news!
For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” ( Isaiah 41:13)
Troubles abound for all of us. No one is exempt from the darkness of this fallen world. This is not heaven. We all will face battles that bring pain and suffering but as believers, we are never without hope. For that fact, there is no reason for us to sink into despair as problems mount.
We are told in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose“. Everything God allows in your life has a specific, providential, eternal reason. Everything! There is not a disease, a financial issue, nor any painful affliction that is not being timed and measured by the hand of God with an unfailing purpose to bring you closer to him and stronger in your faith. All that you have been given to endure has been settled in heaven! Although it seems that God is slow in answering your cry for help, know without a doubt that he is working on your life in ways you cannot imagine. He is moving heaven and earth to make straight the path he has destined for you since the foundation of the earth. There are no battles you face that are stronger than the armies of the living God. And though you may feel wounded and weary in your struggle, victory is always the outcome to those who belong to Christ.
To have peace in your trials, you must focus on the truth of God’s word. In 1 Samuel 17, we read of the Philistine army who came to battle the Israelites. Goliath, who stood over 9 feet tall, was a champion fighter for the Philistines. With each threatening step he made toward the men of Israel, they would retreat in fear. When young David saw this, he volunteered to fight Goliath. He knew that Goliath was a strong warrior but more importantly, he knew that his God was stronger. While the army of Israel was acting in fear, David was acting in faith. As Goliath advanced toward young David, the bible tells us that David ran quickly toward him shouting, “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand”. He never hesitated; and by faith, he defeated the giant. David had no doubt that God was bigger than Goliath and the Philistine army. He never let fear make him forget that truth.
We are facing colossal battles in this world and it is easy to withdraw in fear. A pandemic virus is upon us with the power to take many lives. While we don’t understand why God is allowing this to happen, we know that in all things his powerful plan is unfolding. He is completing the work he started in us. Believers have nothing to fear and everything to gain in the troubles of this life. That is a promise Christ died to give us.
The way to victory is to take the first step of faith and pray for the strength to trust that Christ is in total and utmost authority over all you are facing. You are never alone for a second of time and his eyes are always on you. The prophet Habbakuk cried out to God, ” O LORD, how long shall I cry for help and you will not hear?” It seemed to the prophet that God was ignoring his plea. The LORD answered him, “ I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. And the LORD later added “But the righteous shall live by his faith”
Faith that is tested is faith that is proven true. A.W. Tozer, an American Christian Pastor in the 1900s once wrote, ” It is doubtful that God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply”. That may be difficult to understand, but everyone that has been used by God in a mighty way has all been tested by affliction. The testing of your faith produces steadfastness so that you may be complete and lacking in nothing. You are being made ready to live with Christ in a Kingdom that has no end.
Finally, one thing more to remember: “True faith rests upon the character of God and asks no further proof than the moral perfections of the One who cannot lie.” A.W. Tozer
Share the good news!
This is a repost of a message that I wrote 7 1/2 years ago. At the time I wrote it, I had no idea that one year later I would be going through a divorce and that a few years after that, my beloved brother would die. With that said, I had to face many trials since then and yet this message of hope is more relevant than ever. I could not have gotten through all the pain in my life if Christ were not with me. I have always said that if you knew how effective your prayers were against the powers of darkness, you would never get off your knees. Prayer would be the one stronghold that you relied on for peace and strength in every battle. Life is tough and that is not going to change but God is faithful to the end. Please read this message again and let the truth of God’s amazing love and power fill you will hope despite your struggles. There is always hope because Christ lives to intercede for us. That’s a promise that will never fail.
Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard” (Daniel 10:12)
Probably one of the hardest steps of faith is believing that God hears and will help us when we call on him in prayer. We are still living in a world that has dimensions and boundaries and our finite minds have limits to our understanding in difficult matters. We, therefore, need a measure of faith to see past that which is seen and go deeper into that which is unseen. The only way to please God is by trusting him despite the storms that we face in a world that is literally being destroyed by sin. Although it is not visible to our eyes right now, there is a battle that is taking place all around us in the heavenly realms. Darkness is covering the horizons in every corner of this world as evil is seeking to destroy everything in God’s creation. So when we are faced with a painful trial, it is easier to believe what we can see than what we can’t see. Yet, it is at our lowest point of a struggle that we must lift our eyes in prayer and believe that our God is not going to let us be devoured by the enemy of destruction.
It may seem impossible to live with a heart that is breaking but God has promised us in his word that He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3) He is not slow to help and he will never fail you even when it seems that you are being crushed by the weight of your pain. If you could see the very real battle that is taking place all around you, you would understand that you are being guarded by the forces of heaven. Every step you take as a believer is guided by the hand of God who knows the path you must take to victory. Every prayer that you present to Christ is heard and he knows what is right and perfect for you. Your whole life is before his eyes and he is answering you in ways that for now, you may not understand. The solid truth is that Christ never stops working all things out for your good! When you lift up your prayers and petitions, you are surrendering all of your struggles to the will of God. You are seeking his strength and his power to help you stand in faith believing the God who saw your unformed body in the womb and who numbered all of your days before even one of them came to be. Nothing of your life is hidden from him. Your fear and despair in a trial stem from not understanding the power of God and his unfailing love for you. Never will his eyes leave you for one second! Why can you not understand that you are worrying about things that Jesus already has worked out?
I have been through a lot of pain in my life but I can now rest in the fact that the purpose and plan God has for my life cannot be stopped. I can trust that he is right next to me when I pray and that he always hears. No pain can consume my life because my God will always be bigger than anything I face. I believe that God will go ahead of me in every battle and lead me into victory against my enemies. I know that God is faithful and that I can take him at his word. My future is in his hands and he is the joy of my life. At the moment of Christ’ death, the temple veil that enclosed the holy of holies was torn signifying our new access to the throne of God in every prayer! Believers are right there with Christ in every petition that is made to him. The devil can’t stop our prayers nor can he hinder God from answering them.
My dear friends, I say all this to encourage you through the trials you are facing. You can still have a future despite a broken marriage or a relationship that is not working out. Your financial struggles are not going to be forever. Job situations and serious health issues are still under the sovereignty of God. My greatest lesson in God’s love came when I trusted him at a time when I had no strength of my own in an impossible situation. His power is greater than a painful struggle or addiction. His strength is perfected in any weakness that we surrender to him. We can trust our God in every area of life and we can trust him in death. There is nothing good that he will ever withhold from those who belong to him. Never let the silence make you think that God is not doing something for your cause. Remember that Elijah had to wait on the mountaintop for the quiet whisper of God after he faced the powerful wind, the earthquake, and the great fire. No matter how or when he chooses to do it, never doubt that God will show up and fight against that which is coming against you!
Dear Lord, I am lifting up those who are going through a storm in life that is making them weary. They want to believe that you will show up in time to help them but the enemy has been filling their minds with lies. I pray that you will give them your peace that passes understanding and open their hearts to know that you are with them right now. They don’t have to see you or feel you in order to know that you are there. Show them that their prayers are heard by you and you will resolve the issues they face. Let them know that you will never leave them to fight against the battles of this world alone. I pray that they will listen for that small whisper of hope that you are ready to give them. Lord Jesus, I believe your promises never fail. Amen
Picture above post by Diana Simumpande
Share the good news!
In Christ alone. “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
We are told in 2 Corinthians 13:5 that we must, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – unless of course, you fail the test?”
Being saved is not a matter of repeating a prayer and claiming salvation. True salvation is a radical heart change. In Ezekiel 11: 19 God tells us that when we are saved, “I will give them an undivided heart and will put a new spirit in them: I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.” It is a process of learning to follow in those ways because our flesh is constantly battling with our spirit, but it is the power to overcome our sinful nature and to choose to do right. When you are truly saved, you have been set free from the prison of sin. The bible tells us in 2 Corinthian 5:17, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” As a new creation, you are in Christ and his power is moving in your to do good and to choose righteousness. You have a new relationship with sin. You now see it as a detriment to your relationship with Christ. You seek after the light instead of following in the ways of darkness.
Jesus told us in Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Only a few find it! Why is that? The reason is that many people want to get to heaven their own way. They feel that if they are “good” most of the time that they are saved. Others believe that they can continue to sin as they did before and that God will just understand that they are only “human”. Those people are wrong! It doesn’t matter your weakness or how good you think you are; the only thing that matters is have you made Christ your Lord and Savior? Have you surrendered your life to him? No other way will save you. You can’t be half saved. You cannot live with one foot on earth and one in heaven. You must give it all to live in Christ. Even when you fall into sin, a truly saved person will repent and turn from that sin and let God’s power lift them up. When you are saved, the love of Christ compels you to love others and to do what is right.
In 2 Peter 2:19-21, we are told that “…for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.”
Finally, we read in 1 John 3:6 that “No one who lives in him (Christ) keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.” And in verse 9-10 of I John it continues, “No one who is born of God will continue to sin because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning because he has been born of God. This is how we know that we are children of God and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.”
We all have sinned against God and are deserving of hell. Jesus came to give us life and to set us free from our bondage to sin. For that reason, those who follow Christ have been made new. They have been given a future with hope. Their sins have been washed by the blood of Christ and God will remember them no more.
Is Christ living in you? Have you surrendered to him and made his Lord and Savior of your life? In Psalm 139, David prays, “Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts.” Examine yourself! Ask God to search your heart and to lead you to him. That is a prayer He always answers.
Share the good news!
What to do when God takes you to the end of yourself in order to get you to trust him with your life.
In Psalm 139, King David prayed, “O LORD you have searched me and known me!” He fully understood that God had complete knowledge of him inside and out. His weaknesses were not hidden from God yet he proclaimed in verse 14, “I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
Too often we let our circumstances rob us of our joy. It is as though we can only trust that God is with us when things are going good in our life. In Isaiah 43:2, God tells us, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned and the flame shall not consume you.” I can assure you that pretty much covers the pain of everything you can face on this earth. God is telling those who believe in him that he is just as powerful in the darkness as he is in the light. Nothing can defeat you when your hope is in Christ. He can always bring you out of the storm.
We are living in a world that is in great upheaval. Right has been called wrong and evil is replacing good. To stand for truth means persecution and consequence. Your future may seem like a blur when you are uncertain how to take the next step. Take a leap of faith. Now is the time to let the world know to whom you belong. Show your faith in action believing in your heart that God is enough to help you. Anyone can claim to trust God when things are going well. But it is in the time of battle that the worth of your faith is proved genuine.
If you belong to Christ, all that you endure is part of the unspoken plan that has been designed for your victory. You have a reason for hope because Christ lives to intercede for you every second of the day. God will not fail to take you through the troubled seasons of your life. Every one of your tears is precious to him. There is not a step you take or a thought in your mind that is not seen and guided by Christ. He is the light on your path to glory.
The devil of this world cannot overcome God’s authority. Only Christ can complete the number of your days and fulfill your destiny. If he leads you to a mountain or to a raging sea, he has a purpose and he knows how to get you to trust him alone. He is your stronghold and very real help in need. He won’t let you down. Let him finish his work in you. Remember he is getting you ready for royalty in an eternal Kingdom.
When you feel like you have no strength to continue in your life, that is when you must surrender your weakness to Christ and take on his strength.
Lord I come, I confess
Bowing here, I find my rest
Without You, I fall apart
You’re the One that guides my heart
Share the good news!
Believers are set apart for Christ and the work of his kingdom. We have been made holy because the Spirit of God lives and works in us to do good. We have been made righteous. Why is it then that God continues to allow painful trials and distractions in our lives? Wouldn’t it be easier to do his work if he could make our path clear of the same suffering the perishing world endures?
That is something I have thought about many times. I have seen Godly men and women work tirelessly to help bring the lost to Christ only to watch as they suffered hardship and sickness unto death. Persecution of Christians is increasing and believers are being tortured and killed every day. It just doesn’t seem fair. And yet, Scripture tells us that God must allow anything that happens in the life of a believer. In Psalm 84, we are told that “No good does God withhold from those whose lives are righteous”. All those who are in Christ have been made righteous by his blood. So why then is it good that his people suffer?
My friends, I write this message to give hope to those who are facing a battle in life and struggle to believe that Christ is still with them. The enduring love of God never leaves you for a moment in the midst of your trial. He sees your pain and counts your tears. Your cries for help are being heard. He has not forgotten you. He knows how to heal your breaking heart. He can and will make you whole. But, do you trust him enough to let him do it his way and in his timing? It is not easy to hold on in the battle, but to do anything less would be to surrender to the enemy. Don’t sell yourself short. God is sovereign over all. His plan for your life was perfected long before the foundation of the earth. You were bought at a price. He is not going to let you fail after taking you this far.
Every believer in Scripture had to suffer pain and hardship in their walk of faith. They had to trust that God was always with them even through their greatest fears.
In Genesis, Joseph had to endure over 10 years of bondage in a prison which had no light. He had shackles on his neck and feet night and day. And yet he had to trust that his God was still in control. For all those years, he had to wait on God who was preparing him to be the top Commander in the army of Pharaoh. He had no idea God was making him ready for such royalty. He was a young man when he went into prison and for years he mourned the memory of his family. Why did God allow him to withstand such a test? It was because God’s plans for Joseph were greater than any ideas Joseph had for his life. He had to be molded and shaped into the man of God who had the faith needed to do his will. God was going to use him in a mighty way.
And God had a plan. The royal robes that Joseph wore as ruler in Pharaoh’s kingdom were like rags compared to the robes of glory awaiting Joseph when he died.
When Jesus told his disciples what they would have to do to follow him, many of them grumbled and left. Jesus turned to his Apostles and asked them if they were going to leave also. Peter said to Jesus,
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”(John 6:68) Peter was exactly right. Those who stayed with Christ trusted that he was greater than their doubts.
No matter what black cloud is filling your life, there is no one greater than the God who gave you life and who has the power to cause every second of your pain to be used for your good and for his glory. Even if you don’t see God’s hand in your struggle now, you need to know that he is in full control of all that you face. You don’t have to see or feel God to know that he loves you enough to do what is good for you. Let him finish the work he started in you. Don’t doubt him. Those disciples who walked away from Christ had no idea they were leaving their only source of hope in this world. They left the One who could give them everlasting life.
Your situation is timed. Your pain is being monitored. And you are not going to drown in your tears. Christ has a way to take you through your fears and pain. He grieves with you in your trouble. He has a reason for you to face this mountain.
My friends, we are too close to the coming of Christ to give up now and walk away. Cling to the truth. Let your faith be proven genuine. Keep your eyes on Christ. He will never fail you. Even when things are not done your way, trust him with your life! He gave his life for you.
Who can take from you what Christ has died to give you?
I am praying for all who need to believe that Christ is with them in their pain. If you are struggling with your faith, I am praying that you will have the strength to surrender your doubt to Christ and ask for his strength to believe. May you know that He loves you more than you could ever know. He has promised to never leave you, not ever, no matter what you are going through. God is close to the brokenhearted. His word is true. He is with you now. Let him work this out but trust him with the details. Your faith shows the world that you belong to Christ. May God give you his peace and may you know that you are not alone.
Share the good news!
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.(Romans 15:13)
Amidst the chaos of a world that is filled with darkness, it is challenging to focus on the promises of God. In your painful trials, problems can appear insurmountable with the victory through them seemingly unreachable.
The Apostle Paul warned us in 2 Timothy 3 that there will be terrible times in the last days as people become lovers of themselves and not interested in the ways of God. The nightly news is filled with death, destruction and evil as people are turning to their own way of doing things. The enemy is dividing people against each other to cause confusion and doubt and in far too many cases it is working. The hearts of most have abandoned the fear of God. The ways of truth are being blurred by the evil desire of the flesh that is being called “choice”. And as Scripture tells us, lawlessness is on the increase as the hearts of most grow cold.
While that is a sad commentary, we are not without hope. There is a place of rest where you can have the peace of Christ despite your struggle. That promise was given by Christ as he said in John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Do you trust that Jesus is true to his word?
Your faith is being tested in every trial you face, but the reward is great to those who do not grow weary and give up. In 2 Kings, the prophet Elisha was surrounded by a great army who wanted to kill him. When Elisha’s servant saw the massive army, he grew greatly alarmed. Elisha addressed his fears saying in verse 6, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” With that, Elisha prayed for his servant’s eyes to be opened and he was amazed to see the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire from God surrounding their enemy. That is the power of God in action. Even now, there is no battle in your life that is stronger than God’s ability to take you through it.
Jesus left us the Holy Spirit to help us in our weakness. The same immense power that raised Christ from the dead lives in the heart of every believer. There is nothing that is able to destroy a child of Christ. All that we face is the driving force bringing us closer to God.
Troubles of this world don’t define us. They are the necessary tools to mold us into the image of Christ and perfect us in the plan he has for our life The evangelist A.W. Tozer once wrote: “It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has wounded him deeply”. Tozer understood that the trials allowed by God are meant to bless and equip the soldier of Christ for victory against the adversary of this perishing world.The believer must die to self in order to have the fullness of God’s power. Whatever weakness you hold onto in your life will become the foothold that Satan uses to take you down.
The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:17″For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison”.
No matter how bad your situation seems. you must never lose hope. You have no idea what greatness God has planned for your life. You don’t have to feel Christ to know that he is with you. While it is difficult enduring the trials that bring brokenness, God knows the work he must do in your life. He who began a good work in you knows how to complete it. His ways are higher than ours. He knows the length of your days and has your next step prepared for you.
My friends, you need to understand that heaven’s royal army is standing by you right now to protect and defend you. God’s plan for you cannot be hindered by your heartache, struggle, sickness, addiction, divorce or financial problems. You can’t fail. He knew what you would face and the answer to it all is being set into motion even now. His love for you will not stop. Just stand in faith and see what God can do.
Share the good news!
But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor.15:57)
It is easy to lose hope when your troubles surround you. Uncertainty and doubt can fill you with fear especially when there seems to be no way out of your pain.
Jesus told us in his world that we would have many troubles here on earth. He knew the times and what was to come. However, Jesus also wanted us to know that despite our problems, we can stand firm knowing that he has overcome the world. He is the Hope of all things impossible. He is the restorer of dreams and the power to overcome. There is nothing that can crush a true believer because all the force of heaven lives in the heart of those who belong to Christ. A royal army stands ready to fight for you.
Jesus is the strength to overcome all that comes against you so it is sad to watch as people turn instead to substance abuse to silence their pain. Many good people have sold out their future to alcohol or drugs. They becomes bonded to the poison that is destroying their lives and that of their families. It can happen to anyone. Some of the nicest people are secretly coping with an addiction. They feel lost and out of control because they are trying to carry this burden on their own. That will never bring victory because Jesus never meant for anyone to fight their battles alone.
We are told in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful;” he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
The truth in this verse is that we are all weak in our flesh but we have hope through Christ. He will provide the way out so that you cannot be destroyed by your struggle. He is always the strength you need to overcome. We are told in Scripture that God’s power is manifested through our weakness. We have been made victors over all of our battles when our trust is in Christ. He is the only power you need to conquer all that comes against you. He will not fail to take you through your pain and bring peace in your life. Nothing is impossible through the One who paid the price to give you an abundant life through every storm.
In Isaiah 26:3 we read. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trust in you”. Your weakness cannot stop your future. There is no impossible situation that can stop his purpose for your life. Jesus gives you victory over all of the obstacles that stand in your way. He has given you life and he will take you to the end of your life according to his perfect plan.
No matter what troubles or addictions that you face in this life, remember that Jesus has indeed overcome the world and all of its struggles. Put your complete trust in him. By surrendering your weakness to the power of Christ, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain!
My dear friends, I understand that you are facing many painful trials in this life. We all are. Take hope for Jesus has overcome the troubles of this world.. While we are waiting on him to meet us in our struggle, he is working out a deliberate, divine, eternal plan for your life. You are not forgotten nor are you ever without hope. Have faith and stay in peace knowing that in the eternal plan, it is already worked out. Cease striving and rest. Your God will not fail you.
Share the good news!
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away, blessed be the name of the LORD. (Job 1:21)
You can have victory in your life despite the struggles that you face when you understand that God is working all things out for your good and his purpose for your life. Too many times we feel that God is unaware or unconcerned with our painful trials but nothing could be further from the truth. He has a divine eternal reason for each and every thing that you endure. He has a timing for it all and if you belong to Christ, it is all part of the perfect plan.
Understandably, it is easier to trust God when things are going well. How much more difficult is it to believe as God allows unfair trials of every kind to happen when he has the power to stop them. How can he look down on the suffering of his people as seemingly he remains silent. But is that really true?
We look in the Old Testament to the trials of Job. He was a wealthy man with a wife, children and servants. He honored God with all he had and held nothing back from him. Yet God allowed Satan to attack Job and take his children, his wealth, his servants and his own health. Job was reduced to a painful existence living outside of his home since he was deemed unclean because of the infestation of boils that was afflicting his whole body. His own wife told him to ” Curse your God and die”. What did Job say to her remark? He answered, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”(Job 2:10)
That is a questions we all need to ask ourselves. Is it okay with us to take the good from God and then turn away from him in times of trouble? Does God owe us anything? It is by his grace, unmerited favor, that we receive all the good that we have. We are in his hands and he has determined the best way to get us from where we are to where he is. He does not look away from us for a second. We always have hope in the midst of the darkest storms because Christ lives to intercede for us. He commands his angels to guard our path and guide our steps. We are not left to fend for ourselves when darkness comes. With Christ, we have all the hope and peace needed to get through the pain as God works through it to reveal more of himself to us. No battle is too big for him because he has authority over everything. The outcome is always in his hands and his will.
When you grow in faith, you get to a place of victory in your life because you know that you do not have to understand God’s ways in order to trust that he always is working for your best interest. For that reason, you are able to have joy through the many troubles in this world because Christ has overcome the world and your enemies have been rendered powerless to destroy your future. Just because you can’t see how God is working in your life through your trials does not mean that he is doing nothing. Heaven and earth are being moved by a faithful God who has already determined the outcome of your situation.
Your pain grieves the heart of God but we are living in a perishing world and believers are being transformed into the image of Christ. Let God do his work in you. Your struggle will not last forever but the hope you have will last into eternity. Fear and uncertainty are weapons the enemy uses to discourage you. Never let his lies steal your hope or convince you to surrender up your joy. Nothing is impossible for the One who holds eternity in his hands.
Whatever you are going through, stay focused on the fact that God can always make a way to help you. God gives and God takes but it all is part of the plan to give you eternal life in a Kingdom that will have no end. And because of that promise, we can praise God in every situation. Christ is coming back soon to make all things new. That is a Hope that is worth waiting for.
Dear Lord,
You never leave anyone alone to carry their troubles. I pray that you will give hope to those who are overwhelmed with trouble and who feel that they have no strength to go on without your help. I pray that you will heal the pain of those going through marriage problems and financial issues. For those who are suffering through illness and serious health problems, I pray for complete healing, and may you give them peace as they wait on you. I pray for your strength to overcome those who are dealing with addictions of every kind.
May you provide for those who need a job. I pray for favor and blessing on those who are struggling to keep their homes. Bless and heal those who are suffering from mental problems and dementia.
I pray for the persecuted all through the world. May God give them his peace to endure. Protect children everywhere who are hungry and sick. I pray for Saeed Abedini and all those who are imprisoned in other nations for their faith. May God have mercy to bring them home and give them strength to hold on.
I pray for the peace of Jerusalem and protection for Israel. May our Lord guide the hand of their leaders. I pray for America to repent and turn back to God!
For these requests and all those not mentioned, may the power of Christ and his love provide for our needs. Amen
Share the good news!
“I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10)
Christmas is the season of joy and peace yet sadly there are many people who are feeling hopeless, weary and alone. During a time when hearts should overflow with love and giving, for some it is just a greater time of pain and sadness. The troubles of this dark and perishing world can overwhelm even the strongest believer.
The joy that the birth of Christ brings can get lost among the commercial aspects of the season. That is truly sad for when God sent his one and only Son to this earth, he did it to bring light and salvation to a lost and dying world. He sent Jesus to walk this earth with us to give us his strength to overcome our problems. Jesus came to give us an abundant life that lacks no good thing. His birth brought us a promise that can never be taken away. It is a promise that those who believe in him would have a life with a purpose and a reward that will never end. Pain and struggles can never destroy those who have been set free through Christ. He alone can open doors to your impossible situations and cause all things to be used for your good.
Believers now have authority in Christ over all obstacles from the enemy. Through Jesus you are now more than a conqueror because he has overcome the world. You only need to trust that he can and will be with you in all of your problems. Your failures do not stop his love and your troubles can never hinder his perfect plan for your life. His birth signified a pledge to bring you peace no matter what you may be going through. Jesus is the Word of God and the light of this world who will never fail you. He willingly left the splendor of heaven to come to this earth knowing that we would reject him. Yet his love was so great that he chose to walk with us and be crucified to bring us peace with God and eternity with him forever.
If the joy of this season is overcome by a heartache or struggle in your life which is causing you pain and sadness, please remember that the hope that Jesus brings is not just for some situations. The peace he promised to leave us is sufficient to meet any need and to take you through any storm in your life. His power is strong enough to safely take you through all circumstances and to give you joy in the midst of your struggle. He knew your name and loved you long before you were born. He has plans to prosper you and give you a future despite your weaknesses. He is faithful to make a way for you even when the road is closed. Most importantly, he will never leave you to carry your burden alone. In Matthew 28:20, Jesus says, “And surely I am with you always, even to the very end of the age”.
Your situation is never hopeless when you have Christ in your heart. He is able to heal any sorrow your have and give you the assurance that his love will comfort you in your pain. This season, keep in your heart the truth that Jesus is the only gift that you need. He is the source of your strength and the power to restore you in all ways. His gift of life is free for the asking. His love will never fail you and his peace will keep you as you begin a new year. Take heart, dear friends, for the Savior of this world is born!
Dear Jesus,
I am lifting up to you those who are suffering the pain of trials of every kind and who are feeling weary and troubled. I know that this time of year is supposed to be one of family and joyful celebrating but there are some who are experiencing heartaches from a broken home, overwhelming financial troubles, or serious health issues. There are those who are dealing with addictions, depression and loneliness. For these and all the troubles that your people are facing, I pray for you to give them peace. Let them know they have hope despite their pain. Lift them up and meet them where they are. Show them your mercy as you give them the strength that they need to stand in faith.
Father, we are living in a time when truth has been exchanged for a lie. There is darkness everywhere and persecution of Christians is increasing. War is imminent as the middle east heats up to a point of no return. Famines, earthquakes and extreme weather is signaling your return. We have a reason to hope. You, dear Jesus, are coming back to make all things new. You have not forgotten us. Our pain and brokenness is preparing us for a kingdom that will never end. Your eyes are always on us. We are never alone and never without your protection. I pray that you will show those who are hurting that you are with them to the end. I pray that they will know that they have a future no matter how bad it may look now. May you have mercy on this country and open the eyes of our leaders to turn back to the God who blessed us and made us a great nation. May you bless and protect Israel and give wisdom to her leaders. I pray for you to comfort and help those who are going through persecution of every kind for their faith. Be with them, Lord Jesus. Protect them and bring them joy that surpasses understanding in the midst of their suffering. I also pray for Pastor Saeed who is imprisoned in Iran. Keep him safe, dear Lord, and please bring him back here to his family.
Keep our eyes on you, dear Jesus. Help us to know that no matter what battle rages in our lives, you are always in complete authority over it all . You alone have suffered the price for our victory. We humbly bow before you in praise and honor for there is no way to repay you for all you have given to us. Amen
Merry Christmas to all of my friends here on this site. I pray for you all and remember that you can email me if you need to talk.
Share the good news!
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night“.
(Psalm 139:11)
These days of evil are growing worse as the light of truth is nowhere to be found. So many people are caught up in the deception as they become lovers of themselves and of the gold of this world. The laws of God are disregarded by those who have given in to the lies. Sin has been dressed up and labeled as choice and tolerance. Abominable acts are not only accepted by this generation, they are now encouraged. And darkness swallows the truth!
As most continue on the wide path to destruction, those who work to stay in the race for the Kingdom of Christ are finding themselves suffering trials and heartache. It is difficult to understand.
We are living in ending times, dear friends. God is allowing believers to be shaken beyond their own strength to find out who truly belongs to him. The days of trouble are bringing to light those who truly belong to Christ. It is for that reason that you must stand your ground and let God do his work of refining you for an eternal kingdom.
In 2 Corinthians, Chapter 1, we read that Paul suffered through depression as he was spreading the gospel of Christ. He said in verse 8-9, “For we do not want you to be unaware brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” Even the apostle Paul had to suffer for Christ to the point of wanting to give up and die. How much more are we struggling in the end times as Christ is coming quickly to take us from this wicked earth? Without a doubt the enemy has stepped up his game as he initiates attacks from all sides upon believers who are shining the light of the kingdom to the lost.
We should not be surprised that we are facing trials of every kind. While the enemy wants to destroy us with his lies and deception, we are being proven to be soldiers of worth in the army of the living God. In the book of James, the disciple tells us that the testing of our faith produces a steadfastness which God is perfecting in us so that we will lack nothing of value. Have no doubt that God’s angels are surrounding you at this moment. They are ministering to you in your heartache and strengthening you in your fears. They have been given orders from the Throne of God to guard your pathway to him. You cannot be defeated.
As the earth gives way to the enemy’s lies, we suffer through financial problems, sickness and disease, marriages failing, addictions and all forms of bondage as danger lurks on every corner. We cannot escape the battle launched by the spiritual forces of darkness; however, believers are guaranteed victory through it all.
Those who don’t give in to the deception of this world have hope that eternity with God will be a reward that will last forever. Don’t allow your painful trials to make you take your focus from the truth. You need to understand that your purpose in God’s plan has been set before the world ever began. You cannot be shifted in your position by the slings and arrows of the enemy. You will never be taken down! Surrender your weariness to the One who always has a way to give you hope through your problems. He can lift you above them all until and hold onto you until he has filled you with his peace.
The darkness is quickly filling up this earth, my friends. The deceiver is leading a brutal attack against believers. He wants you to forget that your destiny has been sealed by the blood of Christ! Stay strong and don’t lose sight of the blessed Hope which never fails. Pick up your shield and let the armor of God be your protection. Nothing of value can ever be taken from you in this perishing world. You have been guaranteed a royal future. The book of life has your name in it! What can flesh do to you?
Take heart, dear friends. This message is for you as well as me. It is the truth from God’s word that he will always be with us in everything and through all the storms we face. We are never alone. We are being sifted like wheat by the enemy but Christ is with us so that we will not fail. No matter what you are going through, it is being seen by the eyes of heaven. You are not alone and never without hope.
Dear Jesus,
I pray for all who need to hear this message. I lift up all who come to this site. May they understand that you care about what they are going through and that you have a plan to help them even if they can’t see it now. May you bring them peace and strength to endure. May you help them to know without a doubt that you are working out the perfect plan for their lives that cannot fail. I pray for those who are facing struggles and who feel like they are alone. Please draw near to them, dear Jesus, and comfort them so that they can feel your Presence with them. Shine your light in this dark world and let your people know that you will soon be with them.
I pray for Israel and her people. May you bring her leaders the wisdom needed in this time of deception. Protect Israel, the apple of your eye, from the evil of her enemies. I pray that the eyes of the Jewish people will be open to the truth of Christ as their Messiah.
May you help our persecuted brothers and sisters who are suffering for their faith. Bring them peace through their pain and help them to stay strong and shine the light of your love. Help them and the families of those who are imprisoned for their faith in you. I pray for Pastor Saeed, imprisoned in Iran, and all those like him to be released and brought safely back to their families.
In all things, I pray for America to turn from the lies that have filled this country. I pray for salvation and blessings on this nation. As you changed the hearts of the people of Nineveh and saved them from destruction, I pray you will pierce the heart of America and let her once again be a great Christian nation. That is our only hope.
In the powerful name of Jesus, I lift up these requests. Amen
God will make a way
Share the good news!
This message is the truth of God’s promises for all that you face in this world. Never let your troubles be bigger than your God. He always has the power over them all. Jonathan Edwards says it best:
Share the good news!
The heavens declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1)
Whatever you face, God will make a way to take you through it!
God’s word stands true and he fulfills every promise despite the problems we face. This world is not our final destination but only a place of preparation for what is to come. In this life, we are going to endure hardships of every kind until Jesus returns to make all things new. He has defeated death and made us victors in all that we endure. No matter how fierce the battle, believers cannot be defeated by the fiery slings and arrows of the enemy. I trust in the promises of Christ. He is my stronghold and my very present help in time of need. I believe in prayer and know that my God hears my every plea.
With all that said, I have to share with you that my faith has been severely tested and stretched to the limit during these past months as I face a powerful battle in my life. There are times when I feel completely overwhelmed. Yet no matter how weary I may be, God has given me the grace to endure. I will never give up or lose hope. All the trials that I have faced in my life only taught me that God has been my help through every single one of them. He sees my tears and knows my pain. He is not far away leaving me alone. Scripture says, ” The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit”(Psalm 30:18). I don’t have to see Christ or feel him to know that he is my hope and strength to get me through anything I must endure in this world.
Sadly, for quite some time I have been living with the pain of a failing marriage. Despite doing all that I could, it is apparent that I cannot change the outcome. Even though I have been praying night and day for God’s strength and guidance, things have gotten worse. All I can do now is to continue to pray and surrender my will to Christ. He alone knows the outcome. It breaks my heart to say that I cannot make someone stay and love me when he has chosen not to. I feel betrayed and hurt facing an uncertain future. But as difficult as this has been for me, I know that God still has a plan for my life.
I want to make it very clear that without any doubt, God has authority over all that we face. He can and will do mighty things to help his people and that is why I always advise those struggling in failing marriages to pray and not give up. I am still praying for all who are going through troubled marriages. We have good reason to hope that God can reach the wayward or unbelieving spouse. Sometimes he takes them to the end of their own strength so that they have nowhere to turn but to him. However, I know that it is hard to understand the times when that doesn’t happen. It does not mean that God doesn’t care. The truth is that he cares much and he grieves with us in our pain. Unfortunately, we are living in a lost and perishing world and the enemy has blinded most to his schemes. His main target is to break up homes and destroy families evidenced by the fact that over half of all marriages end in divorce. What a sad statistic that is. Yet God still has the power to give you a future with hope.
When you do all that you can and it seems like you are being hard pressed on every side, remember that in Christ, you cannot be crushed. He will take your broken heart and your fallen dreams and use them to build you up for his purpose. It may not seem like you will ever recover from your pain or that your tears will never end – but that is not true. King David wrote in Psalm 69 “Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck, I sink in the deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters and the flood sweeps over me. I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.” And yet David kept trusting his God even when all hope seemed lost.
Our problems and struggles do not dictate our future. It is planned out by Christ Jesus who will not fail to help those who trust in him. I know that my pain has no power to destroy the hope I have through Christ. Despite what I face in this life, my God will always be bigger.
And then, in spite of all I have been going through, I recently discovered that my one cat, Bella, has cancer. I am always rescuing animals and my pets are like family to me. I am tearful and saddened by this diagnosis for I know that she does not have long to live. In a time when my heart is broken over my marriage, this just added more pain to my life. Is the will of Christ even in the death of a pet I love? The answer is “Yes!” Christ has a plan for all things! Nothing happens apart from his knowledge and permission. Each day, the enemy wants me to believe that God has failed me or that he doesn’t care. He tries to convince me that I am alone. Yet, I know by faith that I will never be alone. Psalm 23 reminds us that, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” All of our enemies, our struggles and our pain has been rendered powerless to destroy us. Christ has a way to heal and make us whole no matter how broken we are. I trust him. My Bella may be gone soon, but I know that even then that Christ will be with me and help me through it.
My friends, I pray you understood all that I said. No one wants to go through a divorce but unfortunately that is not always a choice. If you get to that point, you need to draw even closer to Christ and rely on his strength to get you through. All of your trials and struggles were known to God even before you were born. He can use all things and cause them to be used for good and the purpose he has for your life. Nothing is impossible for him. If you can keep trusting him despite your struggle, you will not be conquered. You will have the victory in everything even through your pain.
I am praying for all who are facing a similar situation and don’t know where to turn. You future is uncertain and it is difficult to understand how you are going to ever get through this. It is only in knowing your God that you can have peace despite your heartache. When people ask me what they can do for me during this painful time, I ask for their prayers. I know that this battle is going to be tough but it is not my own strength that is going to take me through it. I take hope from Hebrews 4:16, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need”.
God’s promises of mercy and grace are new to us every morning. He does not fail us and he never leaves us. No matter what trouble you have in life, there is always going to be the help that you need through Christ.
My dear friends, I pray for all of you who come to this site. I thank you for your understanding during this difficult time in my life and I appreciate those who are praying for me. Because I belong to Jesus, I will not drown in my tears. He will help me.
I am humbled that God continues to give me his messages to write. God bless you and please keep his truth in your heart. There is no pain that you have that the touch of his hand cannot heal.
UPDATE ON MY CAT, BELLA
As I wrote, I had found out during the time of my divorce that my cat, Bella, had bi-lateral kidney cancer and would not live long. Kidney cancer like hers kills quickly. I would hold her every night and pray that God would let me keep her just two years longer. I was in the middle of a painful divorce. I was watching my marriage die and at the same time I was watching Bella die. I kept praying but I trusted that God could take me through it. No pain we suffer is beyond God’s ability to help. I knew that and I believed that but I prayed for more time with Bella.
Sadly, my divorce went through. That does not mean God did not answer my prayers. It just meant that in this fallen world, he was allowing my spouse to have free will in his choices. It was tough on me but I never felt that Christ was not with me. I surrendered my brokenness to him daily. He was all I had and he was more than enough. I was not destroyed but made stronger for what I endured.
The strange part is that after I wrote this article, my Bella started to eat again. She gained weight and seem happy and comfortable. Each morning I would go see how she was doing. Each morning I would praise Christ. Two years after my divorce, Bella became ill again and died peacefully in my arms. As sad as I was to lose her, I knew that Christ was the one who gave her the two years more of life that I asked. The Vet said he could offer no explanation as to how she lived that long with cancer. I knew exactly Who allowed her to live two additional years.
The bible says all of our days are numbered before one of them come to be. Jesus said not a sparrow falls to the ground apart from the will of the Father. God has a will and a plan not only for us but for all that he has created. Cancer could not take my Bella until Christ ordained it to happen. He is merciful and he knows what is best. Even the sting of death is under the authority of Christ who conquered its power. He will either heal you or allow you to die to be with him. Either way, if you are a believer, you can’t lose. He has the perfect plan.
Take heart, dear friends. This message is meant for you. I am praying for all who come to this site. You are loved so much more than you could ever know.
