Looking Forward

"For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:11-13, HCSB). 

What motivates you? Lately, pictures of Corpus Christi have been motivating me keep up my runs, since I will be running in a long distance race there soon. There is this feeling within me that can emerge, though - a feeling that routine runs will wear away at me and drain my energy. When I remember why I am excited about that run in the future, my mind shifts. My heart lifts. I remember why I love to run, and even what may seem like a purely mechanic routine is a good time as I remember the end goal with its purpose and meaning.

As believers, we have this future hope that Jesus will return one day. This hope comes from God's promises. He is an unchanging promise keeper. God is Lord over all and Jesus, our Redeemer. With help from the Holy Spirit, we can seek to live our lives as His people, representatives for Him until He comes again to restore His kingdom on earth. My hope is that as we seek to follow God, we shift our eyes from obedience that can look like routine and see the underlying love for our Savior that can drive all of that.

Kelli Martin

Let's be a people who love Him from the inside out. Let's share with others and pray that they see that our obedience is a work of the Holy Spirit. Let's pray that God renews our hearts daily so we can reflect Him more.

"So we must not grow tired of doing good" (Galatians 6:9a, HCSB). 

"God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit in me" (Psalm 51:10, HCSB). 

Recommended song: "Absent from Flesh" performed by Sojourn Music. You can see a YouTube video here or listen to the audio version here. This song was inspired by the hymn written by Isaac Watts, and you can find the words to that here.

By Faith

"In hope against hope, he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, "SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE." Without becoming weak in his faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. Therefore "IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." Romans 4:18-22

Kari Beougher

Waiting is a reality in the Christian life. People wait for jobs, husbands, children, the salvation of a loved one, health. In Genesis 15, God specifically promises Abraham that He will give him a son and yet Abraham doesn't see the fulfillment of that promise for years. Instead of doubting God, this passage shows that while waiting, Abraham did not "waver in unbelief" but instead was strengthened in his faith, trusting in God's character and faithfulness.

Unlike Abraham, we may not have a specific promise from God for a job, husband, children, someone's salvation, or health. But we do have the promise that "ALL the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies" (Psalm 25:10). Not some. Not most. All. God has promised that He "causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).

What is it you are waiting for? It is so easy in the midst of waiting to doubt the promises and ultimately the goodness of the Lord. Yet, the type of faith He delights in is walking by faith and not by sight. Trust in the promises of God. Pray that you may exemplify faith that pleases God. Ask Him to help you walk by faith and not by sight, trusting in His character and goodness and fully convinced that what God has promised, He is able also to perform.