Beautiful Promises to Christians

Yesterday I was briefly reading in 2 Corinthians and came across these verses:

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; stuck down, but not destroyed." (2 Cor. 4:7-9, emp. mine). 

How marvelous and comforting it is to be a child of God! This earth is filled with sin and poison, with deadly disease and tragedy abounding. Evil has encompassed us, and yet we have these assurances from Holy Scripture that say that God's child will not be crushed, will not be in despair, will not be forsaken, and will not be destroyed.

If your life is anything like mine (and as a human being, it will be), you have experienced loss and heartache and grief and discouragement and fear and hurt. You have been hard-pressed by the devil's tactics, persecuted by those who are doing his work, and beaten down for holding strongly to your beliefs in the Almighty God of heaven. Please know, though, that in every hour of trial you have these promises. You will not be crushed. You will not be destroyed. Most importantly (to me, at least): you will not be forsaken.

The Creator of the universe will never leave you. In this life, He is always with you...His light shining though you (2 Cor. 4:6). In the next life, we will be face to face with Him, and He will wipe the tears from our eyes and give us the crown of life (Rev. 21:4, James 1:12).

No matter what this life offers you, God promises to deliver! And, in the midst of your hardships and battles, He promises His immeasurable and indescribable peace (Phil. 4:7). Again I will say, how marvelous to be a child of God! Thank Him for this blessing today and always.

Broken Homes

So many people that I know are experiencing the hurt that comes along with broken homes. With that in mind, I urge you to read this post. If someone you love is dealing with the heartbreak associated with this growing epidemic, send them this link and encourage them constantly.

With broken homes come broken hearts and broken people. Have you ever felt alone, unwanted, or disregarded? If so, these verses are for you.

"Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." Gal. 4:7 

"Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the riches of His grace." Eph. 1:4-5 

"I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty." 2 Cor. 6:18

God wants you. When earthly parents don't, God does. When family turns their back on you, God won't. God made a way available so that we could be a part of His family--that we could be adopted into His family--and that way is Jesus Christ. When we come in contact with Jesus' blood, we become adopted sons and daughters of God. You know the great thing about adoption? It takes planning. It takes desire. It takes motivation. It takes love.

We're all sinners. At some point, we have separated ourselves from our God. But, He loves us anyway, and He is faithful to forgive us when we come back to Him. Why? Because He loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die so that all of the things that separate us could be taken away. And so, when other people disregard you or disappoint you or neglect you, don't get too down. The God and Creator of the universe wants you, because you are special--you are important--and you are loved.

When our earthly families do something to disappoint us it really hurts. Thankfully, this same God who wants us to be a part of His family, has graciously offered us peace (Phil. 4:7) and the comfort of His arms (2 Cor.1:3).

God loves you--yes you--specifically. And that is why He sent Jesus--so that you, specifically, could be a member of His royal family.

10 Thoughts on Overcoming Trials

We all go through trials. At some point (and at multiple points), all of us will experience things that seem too tough to handle and too big to conquer. In those moments, remember these things:

1: God thinks you're strong enough (1 Cor.10:13). 

2: The Shepherd is by your side (Psalm 23:4).

3: The Potter is perfecting you (James 1:4).

4: The outward must suffer for the inward to be renewed (2 Cor. 4:16).

5: If you overcome, you will be given all things (Rev.21:7).

6: Though this life may hurt you, the second death will not (Rev. 2:11).

7: When people lash out and hurt you, you are building a great reward (Matt. 5:12). 

8: You aren't the first (Heb. 11:37-38)

9: This is making you closer to Christ; a sharer in His sufferings (1 Pet. 4:12-13)

10: You will not be destroyed by this (2 Cor. 4:8-9).

10 Promises from God

Life is rough sometimes. Now, perhaps more than ever, our nation needs to turn to God. Why? Because God can heal all wounds and give all peace and make all things right. He has promised us so much, and that's what I want to focus on today. 

10 Promises from God

1: Everything will be okay (Romans 8:28).

2: I will help you bear your load (Matt. 11:28-30).

3: I will give you everything you need (Phil. 4:19).

4: I will give you far beyond what you can comprehend (Eph. 3:20). 

5: Don’t be afraid when you’re in trouble; I’m already there (Psalm 46:1-5). 

6: No one can hurt you because I am here (Heb. 13:6).

7: I will withhold nothing from you, My child (Psalm 84:11)

8: Give every worry to me. I’ll handle it (1 Pet. 5:7). 

9: Don’t you know, I’ve already given you everything (Rom. 8:32). 

10: I’m not going anywhere (Heb. 13:5). 

One Glorious Day

This week has been tough.  One of the members at East Hill passed away after a long battle with brain cancer. Let me tell you, this wonderful woman was a fighter. She battled cancer with a smile and a joke every single time you talked to her. She was always upbeat, always sincere, and always interested in others--even when she wasn't feeling well at all.

Though I've only been a member at East Hill for a little over a year, this lady was so special to me. From the start, she was one of the regular people that stopped and talked to me and asked how things were going--even though she was the one going through so much. I will forever treasure the Bible bookmark she gave me that her mother had made and the hat she gave me last year around Christmas that matches my scarf so perfectly. She was so, so generous, and you couldn't help but love her.

While sitting at the funeral yesterday--in the back with the singers...a place she occupied for so long--I couldn't help but smile as I listened to thoughts about her life. She was so full of life and she made everyone around her so happy. But while those thoughts were nice, it was the fact that she had been so faithful to our Lord that made me smile the most.

I know that she is free from her suffering and the trials that plagued her. I know that she is rejoicing, and I can rejoice in that, too.

God is so faithful to us. His promises are true always, and that gives me such hope and assurance. And, though funerals are never fun, don't you just love the ones when you know the other person had been faithful to God? It makes it a much happier occasion.

Concerning death, Paul told the Corinthians:

"Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold I tell you a mystery: we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed--in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory'. "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" 1 Corinthians 15:50-57

I am so thankful to our God that He has given us the victory! Janet is experiencing that victory over death--and one day she'll be raised to meet our Savior in the air. When I'm sad that I won't get to hear her voice or see her smile, I remember where she is, and I wouldn't call her back for a moment.

It is my prayer that all of you who read this are faithful to our Lord. I know that it isn't probable, but it is my prayer nonetheless. And, if you aren't faithful to your Lord, think of the way your funeral would be. Would your children, grandchildren, and friends be comforted to be there, or would they be mourning your loss because they would never be reunited with you again? If you aren't being faithful to your Lord, change! He gives us victory over death! We must accept the victory, though, on His terms.

Paul urged the Corinthians to be "steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord" (1. Cor. 15:58). Let us all be that way so that God will give us the victory when our earthly life is over.

I'm so thankful to have known Janet. She was such a bright spot in my life, and she will be missed--until that glorious day when we are reunited.

How to Live in Peace

Sometimes the simplest passages can be the most profound. Romans 12 has proved to be such a text for me. Whenever I am struggling to getting along with a person or group of people, I look to Romans 12 as a guide to living in peace. Perhaps these observations taken directly from the text can help you today, too.

• Love without hypocrisy (v.9)

• Cling to the good things in people (v.9)

• Be affectionate to everyone (v.10)

• Think of others above yourself (v.10)

• Rejoice in hope (v.12)

• Be patient in trying times (v.12)

• Always, always pray (v.12)

• Give liberally to your brothers and sisters (v.13)

• Show hospitality to everyone you encounter (v.13)

• Shower blessings on those who don't like you--even those who make your life harder (v.14)

• Be genuinely happy for people who are happy, and be sad with those who are sad (v.15)

• Don't be arrogant (v.16)

• Don't treat others badly, regardless of how they treat you (v.17)

• Do as much as you can to get along with everyone (v.18)

Remember, God has extended every kindness and grace to us; the very least we can do is extend kindness and grace to others. And God didn't start showing us love after we'd chosen to follow Him, He sent His Son to die while we were sinners. Even while people are your enemies, extend love and graciousness and friendship. "As much as depends on you", live a life of peace.

When You're Hurting

All of us have been through something that hurt our hearts. Perhaps it was a crushing break-up, a messy divorce (and aren't they all?), the loss of a loved one, or a disappointment that cut deep. Whatever your hurt, we have a great Comforter in our Heavenly Father.

I recently did a scripture dissection of Philippians 2:14-15, and I'd like to do something similar with Psalm 34:17-19. The Bible says,

"The righteous cry out and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all."

As a child of God, you have certain privileges. When we cry out to God during our darkest hour, He...

• Hears - Hebrews 4 tells us that we have a High Priest that allows us to come before the throne of God boldly because He (our High Priest) experienced being human and can therefore intercede on our behalf. Romans 8:26 tells us that the Spirit will make intercession for us when we don't even know what we should go before the throne of God with! 1 Peter 5:7 tells us we can cast ALL of our cares on God. These are great privileges made possible through Jesus and His blood! 

• Delivers - 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us that God will make a way of escape in every single temptation. Deliverance from our trials is always there, we simply have to look for it. In another, more lasting way, Joel prophesied that deliverance would come in Jerusalem, and we know that the fulfillment of that prophecy was the establishment of the church in Acts 2. Thus we know that God will give us a home in heaven free from all troubles if we will take advantage of the deliverance available through the church. 

• Is Near - There aren't a lot of verses more comforting to me than James 4:8. If we draw near to God, He draws near to us. When we cry out and long for closeness with our Father, He draws near to us. 

• Saves - Somtimes I think that because we are so familiar with John 3:16 we don't let it soak in. But think about it slowly right now: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. There are so many things in this verse that are incredible. First, God gave His Son. That is huge. And why did He do it? He obviously didn't have to. No, He did it because He doesn't want us to perish. God wants us all to be saved (1 Tim. 2:3-4). He is an all-powerful, almighty being that doesn't need us at all, but He loves us and therefore wants us to be in heaven with Him. When things are going wrong in every possible way, know that you are lobes so much by the only One that matters. Know that He sacrificed for you so that you don't have to perish. 

Nothing this life has to offer is more than we can bear. Heaven will make everything--every hurt, every struggle, every trial, every heartache--worth it. But know this: God has made it possible, but the choice is ours. When we're hurting, we can either turn to God or blame Him. 

God Will Get You Through It

I recently heard my husband talking to someone about different things that were going on in that person's life. Let me tell you, that person had been through a lot of stuff. Toward the end of the conversation, Robert said, "You sure have been through a lot of things, but God brought you through every one of those things, and He'll bring you through this, too."

Isn't it great to be able to have such confidence in our God? David wrote,

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me."

David wasn't camped out in the shadow of death, he was going through it. He wasn't sitting down in the middle of the valley, asking God why he was there. He wasn't asking God where He was throughout all of it, because David knew: God was there, and God was getting him through it.

Our lives are the same. When we are in the middle of a crisis, God is there, and He is helping us get through it....one day at a time. A few months ago, I was in the middle of one of those 'valley of death' moments. I felt like everything in my life was crashing down around me. You know what, though? That was probably one of the biggest moments in my life when I knew God was there, wrapping His hands around me and guiding me through it. And now, on the other side of that, I know that was the case.

Being a child of God means you live a blessed life. Because I am a child of the Almighty King's, I am able to go through life without fear, because God is there. I am able to face any and all uncertainties this life has to offer, because I am His. I know that His words are true, and He has promised that He will never leave me or forsake me (Heb. 13:5). Sure, there will be times when I am faced with trials. But when those trials and those 'valley of death' moments arise, I can be assured of at least two things:

One, God thinks I'm strong enough (1 Cor. 10:13) and two, God is by my side (Psalm 23:4).