Many people count their blessings. I do too. I offer thanks for them in my evening prayer. Then I move onto my concerns and petitions. Then I do something that brings me peace and lots of hope. What could that be? Being peaceful and hope-filled is the best way to fall asleep, don’ t you think? I’ve kept my feet on the ground, I’ve cultivated a quiet heart. Like a baby content in its mother’s arms, my soul is a…
Life can be demanding. The world can be harsh. Yet I hope you choose to hope and believe no matter what. The last word is God’s. And that word is good for all who choose to hope and believe in Jesus. Hoping against hope, Abraham believed…(Romans 4:18, NRSV) Likewise we are invited to believe even when things look sad, bad or otherwise discouraging. Our hope is not in perishable things. Our hope is not set in philosophies or positive or …
Do you know how precious you are? Do you know your worth? Do you know how loved you are? I hope you do. Because you are all that and even more. You’re not a mere mortal, you are an eternal being called into life by God himself. You find your true worth and identity in Christ. God sent Jesus to die for us so he could save us and then lavish us with the immeasurable riches of his grace in…
Today’s post is for you who cannot even imagine how things could work out in your situation. This little reminder is for you who is right now overwhelmed with things happening in your life. These words are for you who is at the end of your rope. There’s hope even in chaos. There is no situation so chaotic that God cannot from that situation create something that is surpassingly good. He did it at the creation. He did it at…
Lately, I’ve been more and more shocked about how the western culture seems to be getting more vulgar and immoral all the time. For example, the things they show on TV and what the general public is forced to tolerate nowadays are repulsive. Like the world had gone mad or something. Yet the Bible reminds us there’s nothing new under the sun. You’re addicted to thrills? What an empty life! The pursuit of pleasure is never satisfied. (Proverbs 21:17, MSG,*)…
Are you feeling down? Is your soul singing unexpected blues? Are you weary, burned-out, at the end of your rope? Don’t worry. There are loads of fresh hope reserved just for you. You might not believe it right now. But bare with me. Do you remember how Jesus, in his sermon on the mount, calls people happy or blessed who are hopeless? Why on earth would he do that? Read it yourself: “Happy are people who are hopeless, because the…
Rise and shine, folks! Don’t forget that Christ is risen and if your are his, you are on the victor’s side. Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! (Isaiah 60:1, AMP,*) There you have it. Arise from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you….
How are you doing? I’ve been pretty exhausted lately. Nothing major, just too little sleep and too much to process. Thankfully, I know where my strength comes from. My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:2, NIV). Especially now spending time with God is essential. Otherwise I would not make it. Often people say God does not give you more than you can bear. But life is not fair, things happen, and, suddenly, we do…
Do you dare to bother God with your problems? Or do you think God is not interested in what is going on in your life? Too often we keep away from God because we think we should not bother God. That is so sad. So, so sad. We think we are noble to leave God to others who are more desperate for God. But, first of all, God is not that small; God is capable to help all of us….
The longer I live, the more grateful I am for grace. Because the older I am, the better I know myself. And that picture is not pretty. I am hopeless at making myself better. I am clueless to make anything happen. I am powerless to help myself. That’s why I am so thankful for Christ who doesn’t wait for me to get my act together. Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn’t, and doesn’t, wait for…
