Trust, Courage, Peace

 “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬ ‭HSCB

Have you ever felt you weren’t qualified for the “job”?  Let me put it another way, you weren’t qualified for the task Jesus has given you or asked of you? 

The above verse has three words in it that stand out by themselves.  Peace, suffering, courageous.  Jesus tells us He will give us peace.  In the same verse He tells us we will have suffering.  Then the final thing He asks of us is to be courageous.  He tells us “He has conquered the world”. 

Wow what a powerful few words.  Jesus doesn’t waste any time asking and encouraging us to do His will.  He doesn’t ask us to be courageous, He tells us.  Why can He be so certain and bold?  First because He is God.  Next because He has conquered the world.  Conquered the world!  Wow!  

We all can grasp the idea of having peace and to be courageous.  But why did Jesus put suffering in the middle of that. That seems to me that Jesus was making it “real” for us.  Suffering is something we all can relate to.  In one way or another we have suffered.  Physically with sickness or ailments.  Emotionally because we have lost a loved one.  And many other ways we have walked through suffering.  But Jesus tells us to be courageous.  Stand up tall and face the situation with the courage Jesus has filled us with.  He has prepared our way.  He has prepared us.  

Jesus isn’t asking us to take on the problems of the whole world.  He just gives us a particular task to do.  We often think what if we fail.  Do you really think our God is going to throw us out into the world, all alone, and watch us fail.  Absolutely not!  Jesus loves us way too much.  Like Peter walking on water with Jesus nearby.  Peter started to doubt, became afraid, and began to sink.  What did Jesus do?  He reached out and grabbed Peter’s hand and pulled him in closer to Jesus.  He wasn’t going to stand there waiting for Peter to fail and drown.  He won’t let that happen to us either.  His love is so strong and powerful.  He loves us so much.  

Jesus says TRUST Him, have COURAGE in Him, and to have that powerful PEACE within us.  

We are not alone, He is with us. 

Passive vs. Active

I am sure we all have heard the phrase “Passive vs. Active”.  We have been challenged in our school years.  We have been challenged in our relationships.  In our work places, work habits, study times, devotion times, and countless other times.  Then the question is “What do we do about this”?  Let me ask you, are you a passive person or an active?  Your answer is probably something like “what do you mean or in what topic”? 

Exactly!  There are times to sit back, be passive, rely totally on Jesus.  Then there are times to stand up strong, be active when He tells us to.  

Here are a couple of examples.  Hope!  This can go either way. We can be feeling distraught about losing someone we care deeply about. We search our hearts for comfort and hope.  But we find ourselves feeling helpless.  We cry out, Lord help me.  

What kind of hope is that?  It seems to me it is passive.  We do not have the strength within us to find hope.  It feels like everything is drained from us.  Those are the times to rely on the strength of Jesus.  And the hope He gives us.   This is passive hope. 

“We wait for Yahweh; He is our help and shield. For our hearts rejoice in Him because we trust in His name.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭33‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

This is one example of being passive.  Not having the strength to get up and take action.  Instead we can lean on Jesus.  Which is wonderful.  But there are times in our lives when Jesus has given us the tools and power we need to get up and move forward.  To take action.  He has given us the power and belief to stand firm, move out in faith and hope, take action and step forward into our victory. 

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Also He has given us every tool we will ever need to take this active approach.  

“Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬-‭13‬ ‭HCSB‬‬ 

“Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your  feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word. Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.”

‭To put on the armor of God this is an active approach.   You may be thinking how do I put something like that on, physically?  Just because we do not hold it in our hands physically doesn’t mean we do not have possession of it.  Jesus has given us possession of the whole armor of God.  Spiritually.  When you pray and ask God to equip you, list those items and take hold of them.  Spiritually in your heart, in your mind, put every piece of armor on.  Stand firm holding that shield of faith, declaring victory in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  And don’t forget to thank Him.  

I pray for you faithful readers that you feel an abundance of strength and power as you pray.  Whether it be passive or active.  It all comes from Jesus.  

Inauguration Day in the USA. And Hope!

 This is a title that will seem like scrambled eggs.  All mixed up. Let’s see if I can make any sense.  

The USA has had many ups and downs the last several years.  I will not get into politics, but we desperately have needed hope.  As we know many try to get hope from all the wrong places. But many of us know who authors hope, who gives hope, the Creator of hope, and is HOPE itself.  Jesus Christ is hope. So why do we look elsewhere?  

Today is Inauguration Day in the USA.  Our newly voted in President was sworn in to be our President for the next four years.  Along with a new vice-president.  This day brought many extremes of hope or hopelessness.  Depending on your belief.  I will focus on the hope.  This new president depicts hope for the majority of the population.  Financially, peace, protection, and prosperity, among many other issues.  This brings hope to the people of our country.  It is a very exciting hope just to see so many filled with high expectations.  There was very high energy and excitement.  That’s encouraging to see.  Our country needs that. 

What does this have to do with Jesus?  I believe everything.  Jesus is hope.  He encourages us to have hope. He tells us hope will not disappoint.  But we must trust in Him, believe in Him. The Bible is full of verses about hope. Some popular verses:

“and My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭7‬:‭14   

—————————————————————————————————————————-

“For I know the plans I have for you” — this is the Lord’s declaration — “plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you” — this is the Lord’s declaration — 

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬-‭14‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Jesus is our hope and our future.  He has promised us.  He is here for us.  How do I tie this into our new President?  The Lord has given us a new hope in this president.  He has given us a confidence in this new administration.  We may not always agree with decisions they make. But Jesus says rely on Him.  Lean into Him and pray for our country, our leaders, and for hope. 

My prayer for you readers, is that you can find that hope that comes from Jesus.  Hold onto it tightly.He never leaves us stranded.  

Happy New Year

Wow, here we are again, another new year.  And not only another year, but now we are 2025.  It seems like yesterday everyone was in a panic over Y2K.  I say everyone loosely.  I was not, and so many others were not.  Why?  Our trust is in Jesus.  Now a quarter of a century has passed since then.  We have faced so many other disasters, trials, hardships since the year 2000.  

So  how will we approach this year, 2025? I would hope with eager anticipation of what the Lord has in store for us this year.  How will He use me?  Where will He take me?  To whom will He have me speak to?  The list can go on and on.  And it is NOT all about me.  It is about His will, including my family, your family. We do not walk this life alone.  He has placed us within a family, within a church family, within a circle of friends, and more.  

Have you ever wondered why Jesus puts us with others to walk with us, when we have Him walking with us?  For one thing, we are in the flesh.  We still walk in the flesh.  That is where our weaknesses are. But also we all do not have the same gifts, or knowledge , or experience.  Therefore we rely on our brothers and sisters to help us minister to others more effectively. 

 “There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope at your calling — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.”

Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭HCSB

We work together and enhance one another, we complement one another with our own gifts and strengths.  And they do the same for us.  

“And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

The Word of God spells it out for us.  I know for me, I’ve read these verses over and over.  Yet I need to remind myself over and over about these verses.  I need to read them over and over.  And walk in these truths over and over.  

This is so encouraging.  Knowing we are not alone.  And knowing even those that actually walked with Jesus day by day in the flesh needed reminding.  There isn’t anything wrong with us.  We are who God made us to be.  He has enabled us in the gifts He has chosen for us.  And He will use us how He intends for us to be used.  

I truly hope that you all are encouraged by these words.  Do not feel useless or down on yourself.  Jesus has the perfect job lined up for you.  Do not fret.  It may even take longer than you thought.  Jesus has your timeline prepared.  And He is constantly perfecting it.  

Start the new year of 2025 with enthusiasm and gusto.  Ready to take His Word to the streets and to others.  Get ready to be used by God.  Amen  

A Living Hope

I’ve been thinking about Christmas as most of us are.  So many thoughts go through our heads.  So as I’ve been praying and asking God what He would like me to share, it was more and more evident, I must share what Christmas is truly about. Actually WHOM Christmas is truly about, Jesus! 

I know this should be obvious to us all.  But in the whole world today, there are many who do not believe this.  And if there are many adults who do not believe this, then what do their children believe, and so on.  

Therefore it is up to us to be obedient and share the truth about Christmas.  Doesn’t that seem like a good idea?  How does the song go,  “singing joy for all to hear”. 

There is a verse in 1Peter that tells us of a Living hope.  

“Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”

1‭‭Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

A living hope. That’s right, Jesus is our Living Hope. God loves us so much that He had His Son, born in the flesh, feel what we feel.  Think what we think.  And many other things that distract us.  He knew we wouldn’t have a chance without giving us a Living Savior, in flesh and blood. Who understands us.  Who went to battle for us, fought and won.  He now has the keys to death and life, and holds them securely for us.   You may be thinking, what am I talking about? Or what does this have to do with Christmas? Answer, everything! 

Christmas,  the day our Savior was born. Yes, born in the flesh.  Our Savior, our Living Hope.  This is what Christmas  is about.  Celebrating the birth of our living Savior, our hope, our eternal salvation .  This is what Christmas is.  It’s not all about the gifts.  There is nothing wrong with giving or receiving gifts.  Not at all.  But if we let them become more important than celebrating Jesus, then we have strayed a bit.  We took our eyes off of Jesus and had more emphasis on the “stuff”.  

So over the next several days leading into Christmas I ask you to look at the Scriptures about our Savior being born, rejoicing and celebrating Him.  Enjoy being with your family and loved ones.  

Merry Christmas to my faithful readers.  

#MerryChristmas. #HappyBirthdayJesus #WonderfulSavior  #livinghope 

Renewing of the Mind!

 In Romans chapter 12:2 it tells us to renew our minds so that we may be able to discern what is good.  

“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

I was thinking about this verse today.  Praying it into my life, and my family’s lives.  When I was quietly pondering over this verse what came to mind was the power there is in that single verse.  Yes, power.  Throughout the Scriptures Jesus tells us over and over that our words have power.  Think about it, if our words have power through the help of Jesus, can you imagine how strong the power of Jesus’ words are.  He speaks and it is done.  He thinks it, and it’s done.  He heals, He provides, He supplies, all through His powerful words.  

Well Jesus tells us about that power and how it can change our lives in an instant.  He tells us in the above verse in Romans to renew our minds.  I believe that doesn’t mean just do it once.  But daily, and throughout the day, read a verse, pray that verse into your mind, be pro-active with the verse.  Read it, pray it, act it out.  Make that verse come alive in you.  Whatever verse it is, Jesus has a message in that verse for you, and for others.  

Wow this is so exciting.  Jesus has a specific word for me today and everyday.  He has a specific action for me to do through that word.  The encouraging part of this is I do not have to be a Word Scholar, or a Biblical Scholar, or any other scholar.  I just have to be me, in who God made me.  I don’t have to put on a show, or try to be better than the others.  But I do have to have that relationship with Jesus, filled with His Holy Spirit, be filled with the discernment He promised to give  me, by renewing my mind through His Word, and trusting in Him.  

That may seem like a lot.  But it isn’t.  Think about all Jesus has done and continues to do for us.  I think we can spare a little time with Him everyday.  

We are entering the best time of the year to step out in faith and allow Jesus to use you.  First is thanksgiving.  Wow what a time to share about Him and how blessed we are because of Jesus, and how thankful we are.  And then the whole Christmas season.  Oh my, our script has already been written.  We just have to be bold enough to let the world know who we are celebrating.  The one day a year when the birth of Jesus is celebrated by millions of people.  That makes it quite easy for us.  

I encourage you faithful readers, beginning with thanksgiving, walk everyday of this whole holiday season with just one word on your mind.  Or a verse on your mind.  Allow Jesus to light up your face, and let others be drawn to the Light because of your obedience and openness to step out in faith, and be a servant of our Christ Jesus.  

Thanksgiving!

‬‬  “in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭18

As we get more into November we get closer to the first of our “big” holidays.  Thanksgiving.  I can remember my parents and their generation often saying how they liked Thanksgiving most of all.  As a child or teen I couldn’t figure that out.  Especially the work put into Thanksgiving dinner.  We had a large extended family with lots of cousins.  So we just played all day while the adults worked hard in the kitchen.  We often gathered at our Grandparents home. We looked at thanksgiving as the countdown to Christmas.  As a child that was exciting.  

But then I became an adult.  And we had a son of our own.  And our parents became the grandparents.  Many of our aunts and uncles have passed away.  Our cousins having their own extended families.  We all were going in different directions.  Those were the days I longed for the older days.  I missed the gatherings with our large family. I then understood why they were more excited for thanksgiving.  Reliving those days of long ago when we were all together.  

I find myself today wishing for the same with our son and his family.  But he lives a great distance from us.  Two full days of travel.  It hasn’t worked out for us to get there for the major holidays.  Thanksgiving and Christmas!  And we sure miss them.  

However, just because we are miles apart, we can still make our holidays special.  We still have family close by.  And every holiday with them we cherish all the more.  

So as we gather together with those we love, let’s give thanks to Jesus for the family He has given us. 

Let’s honor Him with our conversations, mannerisms, generosity, and praise.  He is our Father in heaven.  And we should have His place setting at the head of our tables.  He has given us so very much.  We can at least invite Him to dinner.  

I pray for you all, faithful readers, that as you gear up for a wonderful season with family, near and far, you feel the love of family.  The love Jesus has for us during these  special times ahead.  Let it warm your hearts and fill you with an abundance of “Thanksgiving “.