He will wipe away every tear

Photo from dreamphemera.wordpress.com.

"Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: 'Look! God's dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away'" (Revelation 21:3-4, HCSB).

Across the media in America yesterday were floods of memories of what happened on 9/11 in New York City. My friend reminded me of God's promises in the verses above. On that day, I remember the shock I felt. It seemed like it wasn't real for some time afterward.

As we honor those who work hard to protect our country and as we pray for them today, let us fully trust that in the end God will conquer all evil. He has power over it. What's more, because of Christ's sacrifice, God can bring redemption, peace and a renewed heart to a world in need of a Savior. How much we all need Him.

Do you know someone who is suffering or grieving? Let's pray for them or with them. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give us the words to say if we're given an opportunity to help them see more of who God is, this God who keeps His promises and saves.

This reminded me of how Queen Esther may have felt before asking the king, her new husband, to save her/God's people. Below are lyrics from a song about this (produced by VeggieTales actually):

"Mordecai: You wanted to know why you became queen
I told you God must have a reason
Perhaps he put you here, for such a time as this
Perhaps this is the reason.

"Esther: Tell me why, I don't understand 
Tell me why, or show me your hand
Tell me why because I can't see my way through
What now... should I.. do?

Kelli Martin

"The battle is not ours 
We look to God above
For He will guide us safely through
and guard us with His love

"I will not be afraid
I will not run and hide
For there is nothing I can't face when God is at my side"

You can listen to a clip from this song on YouTube here.
You can read this part of the story with Esther and Mordecai on Bible Gateway here.

Clinging To The Cross!

Some of my favorite promises from God's heart that describe "Clinging to the Cross" are 2 Cor. 1:3-11, I must cling to The Cross in order to keep my hope set on Jesus!  As you can see in this picture, I Am Clinging To The Cross!  I am a desperate Christian, but in desperation I find hope and victory in Jesus! 

I pray you are encouraged to cling to The Cross if you know Jesus as your Saviour or run to The Cross if you need Him to be your Lord today, as you read these promises too! God Loves You!! Praise God for God's Promise to use everything you experience in life for His purposes, His Glory, His Salvation for Others!!  "...if we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation..." 2 Cor.1: 6 (please see below)  WOW, that makes all the negative experiences in life worth it all to know that God can use them ALL to share comfort and salvation with OTHERS...I sure have a lot of things to share with others as someone that was not raised in a Christian home and as someone that has experienced many sufferings as a believer...I pray this encourages you to be ready to share Jesus from the pain and persecutions that you may have or may be experiencing in life!


2 Cor.1:3-11 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.  We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us again. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many."  Keep Your Hope Set On Jesus and Be Ready to Share Him with Others!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noSLw7v_kEM  (If I Could Just Touch The Hem Of His Garmet"!!!  Nicole C. Mullen)  http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=YGKG7NNX 

The Holy Spirit teaches us what to share

"'When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say'" (Luke 12:11-12, New American Standard Bible).

Will you zoom into view this point of time with me? Jesus was speaking to His disciples. In case they would be arrested and questioned in court on the account of following Him, He encouraged them to not fear what to say. The Holy Spirit would give them the words to say.

We may never be questioned in court about who we believe Christ to be, but we may be questioned by others. We may suffer in this world, but the suffering only lasts a moment (Romans 8:18, John 16:33, 1 Peter 4:13). We can rest in knowing God's truths last forever (Isaiah 40:8). God cares for all living creatures (Luke 12:6-7). He will be faithful to speak through His people at the right time, when we trust in His Word and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. He will help us know what, how, and when to say something.

It may be a suffering feeling, sharing who Christ is, since not everyone believes that He is Lord and Savior over all (John 3:3). No doubt - people may question the validity of our faith. As believers, we can rest in knowing that God will give us the words to say in such a situation through the Holy Spirit. He has been faithful to keep His Word in the past, so we can trust it for the future (Psalm 100:5). As we rely on the truth of who He is, He will teach us what to say as we share who He is with others.

Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness to speak truth to us and the world. Help us to be willing for You to speak through us, to proclaim Your glory to the world. Give us the words to say. Make us a living witness to what sort of change You can  make in a life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo from www.access-board.gov.
Recommended reading: the book Lost Letters of Pergamum by Bruce W. Longenecker; the verses Matthew 10:19, Mark 13:11, Matthew 6:25, 1 John 5:1

"Light and Shadow"

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands"  (Psalm 19, HCSB).

My heart beat stopped at first glance of these mountains in Winter Park, Colorado.  It humbled me and put me in awe of God.  My friend reminded me the other day of how it is a miracle that this King over all loves us and died for our sins.

This morning, a couple of weeks after seeing the beautiful scenery in the photo above, I read status updates and news about the deadly tornadoes in Alabama.  When I lived in Texas, I remember meeting families and hearing their stories of loss during hurricanes.  I pray for the families who are suffering presently, in Alabama and in other parts of the world.   

Jesus has risen, and I pray we rest in knowing He is here.  I pray we remember that God  - who created all and who has the deepest love - loves us.  Also, I pray we remember to share the hope we find in Him with others.

"When all seems lost
when we're thrown and we're tossed
we remember the cost
We're resting in the
shadow of the cross."
-David Crowder Band, in their song "Shadows"

Link:
News about Alabama storm, with summary and photos - news.nationalgeographic.com

of constant sorrow?

"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).

A favorite song of mine, from the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? is "A Man of Constant Sorrow" - not just because I am living in Kentucky now, but because I like how the movie relates to Homer's book, Odyssey.  I thought of it when I remembered how many people go through different kinds of trouble. A few days ago, I found out that a couple of women in my office building have different stages of cancer.   It is tough for me to process.

What does God say about sorrow?  Last night, I was reading John 16, which jumps into the story of Jesus talking with the disciples before he is betrayed and arrested (He discusses several things, and so I recommend reading a couple of chapters before chapter 16).  One thing He said stood out to me: "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, HCSB). 

The world is not a perfect place, we can see, but you know we don't have to be filled with fear in the midst of sorrow or troubles.  God promises new life for those who believe in Him. His Spirit brings joy, as we know He is with us.

I pray that we remember who God is when troubles come our way.  Is there someone else around us who is going through something tough?  I pray that we will be able to, in the midst of sorrows, remind ourselves and others of who Christ is.

"May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You.  May they also be one in Us, so the world may believe You sent Me" (John 17:21, HCSB).

Music video link:  YouTube.com, Soggy Bottom Boys, "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow" 

"think pink!"

The month of October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I think it is inspiring to see how people unite across America to support breast cancer awareness, from mailing Yoplait yogurt lids to participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. According to www.breastcancer.org and www.cancer.org, about 13% women and 1% men in the United States have the disease.

What does the Bible say about how we can live like Him in the midst of these statistics?

>We can show COMPASSION to those who suffer: When Jesus learned that Lazarus died in John 11, we see that He was "deeply moved" (verse 33) and "wept" (verse 35).
>He asks us to have COURAGE: "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 (HCSB)
>When we COME to and LEARN from Jesus, we will find REST: "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." –Matthew 11:28 (HCSB)

Do you have any verses that you would like to share to those who are going through struggles such as breast cancer?

"May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word."
-2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (HCSB)