A lasting promise

"We have this hope as an anchor for our lives, safe and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain." -Hebrews 6:19

Have you been in a boat before? Quite a few years ago, I remember sailing with some friends and my friend's grandfather near Kemah, Texas. We left the shore mid-afternoon, planning to come back to land in time to eat dinner. It was a beautiful day, but as the sun started to set, we realized something may be wrong. We had drifted into waters that seemed too deep for an anchor, and the wind seemed to have stopped. After a while of searching, we found a way back and my friend's grandfather was able to find a spot to anchor the boat. We were hungry and tired, so we were relieved to have a spot to eat and rest before nightfall.

There is this rock solid, anchor-like hope we find in God's promise, when we come to Him by faith in Christ. When we believe in His sacrifice, ask for forgiveness and turn to Him for guidance, we are forgiven and considered a part of His family. We are able to be a part of God's family because of His great love for us.

Christ is our intermediary high priest. He is the way we can have a mended relationship with the holy God the Father, because Jesus has paid the price for our sins. Let us praise God that He has forgiven us like that, as if

Kelli Martin

we are white as snow.

Let us praise God in light of this promise, and let us walk by faith because of it. Let's look for ways to share this hope that we find in Him, our rock, and pray that others come to embrace Him as Savior and Lord.

A great song: "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" by Hillsong United (a YouTube lyric video link)

chewing on patience

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9, NIV).  

Sharing the love of Christ is not always easy to do.  As we learn more about Him, though, we can see more of how to live and love like Him and how to share Him with others.  As we follow Him, I pray we show others more of who He is.  

In the above verse, I see how God is patient with us.  From 1 Corinthians 13:4-5, we can see that patience is a part of love: "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful" (ESV).  Even when I am stubborn to follow God, He has great patience with me.  This patience motivates me, since it helps me see how His love and wisdom are great.  I pray we all have patience as we seek to follow Him and share Him with others.

What have you seen about God lately that you can live out today, so others may know Him, too?

a memorable surprise

"I [Jesus speaking] am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me - just as the Father knows me and I know the Father - and I lay down my life for the sheep"  (John 10:14-15). 

Monday, I think I saw a good representation of a shepherd.  Around lunchtime in the office, some employees seemed to tiptoe in and out of the front lobby, peering both into the main conference room and to the door by the elevators.  It was a senior partner's 50th birthday, and the group was trying to surprise him with cake and lunch.  His wife phoned in, explaining that she was with him and was trying to convince him to come back to the office before they "left for lunch."

What drew my attention was another senior partner, who actually started the firm.  He made sure that other employees knew to come to the front area for the surprise, and he stood by the front.  When the man whose birthday it was exited the elevators with his wife, he smiled hugely as the office clapped and wished him a happy one.  The founding senior partner stepped towards him, stopping him before he said thanks, to explain his gratitude for his friendship and for being a part of the team.

The way this founding partner behaves in showing care to each person in the office came to mind when I read this verse about Jesus being the good shepherd.  God truly cares about us; He sent His Son Jesus to suffer for what we've done wrong so that we can know Him today and celebrate one day with Him in heaven.  God has a plan for us, so we don't need to fret.  When we trust in Him, He is right there to walk with us, just like a good shepherd is there to save his sheep. 

How can we share this with others?

"May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.  Amen" (Hebrews 13:20-21).