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"The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous" (E.S.V., 2001, Psalm 118:14-15). My God has put a "new song in my mouth, a song of praise" to our Lord Jesus Christ, and "Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD" (E.S.V., 2001, Psalm 40:3).
I watched a movie yesterday afternoon, God's Not Dead (2014). There is a scene where a university professor of philosophy is desperate to 'win' his love back. He realises that the woman of his dreams, his girlfriend who has left him, is precious to him. In the process, he recognises how cold his heart has become since losing his mother to cancer at the age of 12. He was a believer, a Christian but from this point on he remained angry at God, becoming bitter in the process and claiming atheism as the answer to his problems. Needless to say, in this particular scene, he is walking to a Christian concert to win his love back. As he crosses the street he is hit by a car. The driver refuses to stop and drives on. As it so happens, a church pastor and missionary are the first to his aid. They recognise that the man is desperate and will not survive. Openly and with desperation they ask the man, the professor if he believes in Jesus. Would he like to be saved and forgiven of all his sins? The man accepts and then dies. What will it be like for all of us? Will the 'Lord be our strength and song?' Will he be 'our salvation?' Will a person, God's creation, soften their hearts, allowing for a 'new song' in their lives, in their hearts? I can't imagine the fear of an atheist when their lives are about to pass from this earth. Dear God, please help me to understand people from their perspective and life's journey, from their experience, and to speak to their hearts of your love for them. In Jesus' name. A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (E.S.V., 2001, Matthew 13:3-8). Dear Lord Jesus, help me to have eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to feel. I thank you, Lord for the gift of intuition, especially through the guidance, wisdom, and discernment of the Holy Spirit. It is not by "might, nor by power", but through your "Spirit" that you, Lord Jesus will direct me to those who have soft hearts and are ready for your word (E.S.V., 2001, Zephaniah 4:6). Lord Jesus, I pray for great faith, hope, and perseverance, knowing that as the 'sower' brings forth the word of God, the Gospel and good news; knowing that there will be some taken away by Satan, others that receive it joyfully without root or foundation, others with thorns and thistles surrounding them, others concerned with the riches and deceived by things of this world, and others who bear fruit, good fruit (E.S.V., 2001, Mark 4:13-20). Lord Jesus, I pray for discernment and wisdom. Amen.
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Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover' (E.S.V., 2001, Mark 16:14-18).
Dear Lord Jesus, you have revealed yourself to me and my wife. I pray also you will reveal yourself to our children. I pray for soft hearts, for us as a family, and for those who need you. If we as a family, as a team, are to go and 'proclaim the gospel', then your Holy Spirit must first work through us as it goes before us to the people and places you desire us to work in and with. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (E.S.V., 2001, Matthew 5:8). Dear God, in Jesus' name I pray for a 'pure heart.' I pray for a pure heart for myself, for my wife, and for my children. I pray that the eyes of our heart may speak words of life through the transforming power of your word, of your Holy Spirit. I pray for hearts everywhere. Dear Lord Jesus, may you go ahead before us and soften hearts, that they may receive your word through us. In Jesus' name. "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." Dear Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. I know that I am a sinner, that my heart at times has hardened and that I have turned away from you, towards the world and its desires. Your kingdom is before us. Who else and what else shall we serve other than you? Dear Lord Jesus, how can I "preach the good news” (E.S.V., 2001, Romans 10:15), delivering God's word, using my feet to reach those who don't know you, if my house is not in order? Dear Lord Jesus, please forgive me, renew my strength, my zeal, my love for you and for all that you have done and all you will do. Amen. I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (E.S.V., 2001, Philippians 3:8-11) Life is meaningless without you Jesus. Life is an empty shell without you. How can I proclaim this from a rooftop, how can I share this with others? Dear God, please guide the tasks of my hands, my eyes, my ears, my heart, my feet, my words, in Jesus' name. "Husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body" (E.S.V., 2001, Ephesians 5:28-29). "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (E.S.V., 2001, Ephesians 6:4).
What is love? "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" (E.S.V., 2001, John 15:13). Dear Lord, I desire to have this love, and to 'lay down' my life for my wife, my children, my family, my friends, but most of all, for you dear Jesus. I desire to 'nourish' and 'cherish' the opportunity, the blessing that is my wife and children; to lead well and with a righteous and godly heart, the heart of a heavenly Father. Dear Jesus, please guide me in how to speak, how to listen, how to be there for my children, and how to lead them in your ways. In Jesus' name. Amen. "Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged" (E.S.V., 2001, Colossians 3:19-22). Dear Lord Jesus, I pray for my relationships with my wife and children to be holy, that I may 'please' you and them, and that I may encourage them. Amen. The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? (E.S.V., 2001, 1 Timothy 3:1-5). Dear Lord Jesus, if my aspiration, my heart desires to teach, to lead through your Holy Spirit and guidance, then I must first get 'my house in order.' I pray dear God for humility, courage, soberness, self-control, self-respect and the respect of others, openness to loving relationships with patience, having the ability to be teachable (especially by you, Lord Jesus); not relying on vices on desires of the world but purely on the Holy Spirit, with gentleness, compassion, and the ability to love and care for my wife and children. In Jesus' name. Amen. "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest" (E.S.V., 2001, Matthew 9:37-38). This existence which we call planet Earth has millions of inhabitants who walk aimlessly throughout their lives, not having a deeper purpose, not knowing why they are here, lost in a wilderness. Our God, the Father needs guides, mentors, and people who can reach out and love upon the lost, bringing encouragement, and wisdom, and pointing them to the "way", to the "truth", and to the "life" (E.S.V., 2001, John 14:6).
In the "Father's house are many rooms", and Jesus goes ahead to "prepare a place" for you, for me, for many, that we may be in relationship with the creator of the universe once and for all eternity (E.S.V., 2001, John 14:2-3). We, as believers must play our part. "Sweet is the sleep of a laborer" when we know that we are allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us (E.S.V., 2001, Ecclesiastes 5:12). Time is precious: Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. E.S.V., 2001, Proverbs 6:6-11) Dear Lord Jesus, my desire is for wisdom, not sluggishness. I want to be prepared for the gathering, for the harvest. My heart desires that you speak to me, my wife, and my children. That we, as a team, as your chosen instruments, may go forth as labourers and be a blessing to you, be a blessing to others, and be a blessing to each other. In Jesus' name. "The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out" (E.S.V., 2001, Proverbs 20:5). Dear Jesus help me, help my wife, help our children to 'draw out', through your Holy Spirit, your purposes and plans for the people in our lives, for those you lead us to. In Jesus' name. He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. (E.S.V., 2001, 2 Corinthians 9:10-12) Lord Jesus, I pray that you will supply the seed, the word of knowledge, the guidance that is needed that comes from the revelation of your word as a "lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (E.S.V., 2001, Psalm 119:105). Dear Lord Jesus, forgive me and cleanse me of worldly desire. Please accept my freewill offerings of praise, O LORD, and teach me your rules (ibid.). Dear God, I want to serve you "with fear, and rejoice with trembling" (E.S.V., 2001, Psalm 2:11). I also desire to serve you heavenly Father with "gladness", and enter into your "presence with singing" (E.S.V., 2001, Psalm 100:2). Lord Jesus, may all kings, queens, and leaders of government, corporations, schools, hospitals, and people groups of all nations "fall down" before you with humility, servitude, and obedience (E.S.V., 2001, Psalm 72:11). Lord God, heavenly father, please forgive me. I desire to serve you and your wishes. I do not want or need "other gods to serve and worship", or to provoke you to anger (E.S.V., 2001, Jeremiah 25:6). "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money" (E.S.V., 2001, Matthew 6:24). I cannot continue to deny that my creator, my redeemer, has made me and my wife, and our children “‘a light for the Gentiles", that we may bring "salvation to the ends of the earth"(E.S.V., 2001, Acts 13:47). With this thought and realisation comes to a great responsibility knowing that I cannot continue to strive for the things of this world but for the things of heaven. "Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain" (E.S.V., 2001, Psalm127:1). Prayer is fuel for serving as a labourer in the kingdom of God; and I cannot 'labour in vain', striving to build relationships with those who know you (Jesus) not, if prayer is non-existent. Dear Lord Jesus, I come to you in prayer when I am "heavy laden", knowing you will give me rest.; and I desire to take up your "yoke", and to learn from you, knowing that you are "gentle and lowly in heart", knowing that I will find rest for my soul, knowing that your "yoke is easy...and burden is light” (E.S.V., 2001, Matthew 11:28-30). "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent" (E.S.V., 2001, Revelation 2:5). I remember my enthusiasm for the Lord Jesus when I first got saved. I was plunged into a river and afterwards, wept like a baby, knowing that my sins were 'washed away'. Now complacency has set in. It is easy to do when you live in this world. That's not an excuse, it's the reality and I have to fight every day to redeem myself to my creator, to align myself with his Holy Spirit, in Jesus' name. If it were not for the love of a father, a heavenly father, I would have been dashed away with long ago!
Thank goodness that "the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The LORD is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.'" (E.S.V., 2001, Lamentations 3:22-24). God made me, he made you, he made every being on this planet. He loves me and is patient with me. He is also faithful even when I am not! Dear Lord Jesus, please forgive me for my sin, for my indulgence in worldly passion and desire. This is idolatrous and it disgusts me. Jesus, you are good, you are good. I thank you for your mercy. If it were not for faith, if it were not for belief in the works of Jesus, and the great work of the cross, I would be dead in my sin. "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household" (E.S.V., 2001, Acts 16:31) Yes, I will believe in the Lord Jesus, and I, my wife, my children, and their children, and their children's children will be saved. Amen. What more can I ask or pray for than to be obedient and in alignment with God's purposes and plans? Dear Lord, I want to be your "chosen instrument", to carry your name "before the Gentiles and kings", and bring hope to those who don't know you (E.S.V., 2001, Acts 9:15). There are so many who don't know you. Thank God for saints such as Paul of Tarsus. He endured such persecution and challenge, yet his strength was from you Lord Jesus. He trusted "in the LORD" with all of his heart, and he did not "lean" on his "own understanding" (E.S.V., 2001, Proverbs 3:5). Lord Jesus, please help me not to be proud, and rely purely on myself and my ways, but to acknowledge your work in and through my life. In Jesus' name. Dear God I want to contemplate, counting your "patience" as salvation (E.S.V., 2001, 2 Peter 3:15). Yet I don't want to take your mercy for granted. I desire to be "grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken", and wish to "offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe", knowing that you are a "consuming fire" (E.S.V., 2001, Hebrews 12:28). "Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!" (E.S.V., 2001, Psalm 33:8). If the "fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" (E.S.V., 2001, Proverbs 1:7), then I too will fear the Lord with a repentant heart, seeking his mercy, love and guidance daily. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind...You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (E.S.V., 2001, Matthew 22:37-38). Dear God, desire to fulfil and obey your commandment today! Help me to obey and fulfil this commandment every day of my life. What is the point of being less like me and more like you if I do not use the transforming power of our God, the creator of the Heavens and the Earth, to do his will?
I will "take care", and steward my "soul diligently", knowing that God has given me this great opportunity to be in a relationship with him in his will and purpose (E.S.V., 2001, Deuteronomy 4:9). I will be obedient to him as I do not want to "forget the things" that my "eyes have seen", and return to complacency, with a hardening of my heart (ibid.). Dear God, I desire that I make this known to my children and my children's children (ibid.). Yes, Jesus, I will love you with all my heart, soul, and mind. "Do not say to your neighbor, 'Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it'—when you have it with you" (E.S.V., 2001, Proverbs 3:28). Why would I not be there for someone in need? Lord Jesus, help me to have eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to feel. I desire this because righteousness, through the work of your Holy Spirit, "is a guide" to my "neighbor"(E.S.V., 2001, Proverbs 12:26). Help me Jesus to seek the 'good' of others (E.S.V., 2001, 1 Corinthians 10:24). "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul" (E.S.V., 2001, Psalms 23:1-3). Jesus is my good shepherd who has my best intentions and purposes at hand, leading and guiding me if I am willing to stop and listen! Unfortunately, there are times when I am a goat and not a lamb! When I am listening and paying attention, being obedient: I stop to smell the roses and drink fresh water, enjoying God's creation. The restoration of my soul can only be complete and accomplished through my obedience, by stopping and paying attention to the call of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
For I "cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth" For I am "glad" that when I am "weak...you are strong. Your "restoration" is what I pray for (E.S.V., 2001, 2 Corinthians 13:8-9). As a human being, with free will and choice, possibly think that my actions could not have any consequence on what is considered 'truth'. For Jesus said “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (E.S.V., 2001, John 8:31). Dear Lord, I pray for your truth to transform my heart and restore my soul, that I may be set free, in Jesus' name. "How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, 'I have prevailed over him,' lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me" (E.S.V., 2001, Psalm 13:2-6). When I am lost I am found. I seek God in times of trouble and pain. He finds me when I am hurt and listens. The enemy shall not win or prevail over my life, over my wife and children. Over my family or God's chosen people. I will trust in Jesus this day, this hour, this minute, this second. I will stand up again on my two feet and walk with my saviour and my Lord because he loves me and cares for me. My saviour has plucked me out of dangerous waters. My Lord leads me in "paths of righteousness" (E.S.V., 2001, Psalm 23:3). I will "Trust in the LORD" with all my heart, and I will not lean on my "own understanding". In all my ways I will "acknowledge him, and "he will make straight" my paths (E.S.V., 2001, Proverbs 3:5-6). Revelation is an interesting word. In the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary (Hornby, 1995), 'revelation' is the "making known of something that was secret or hidden" (p. 1006). One example of this mystery is revealed through Jesus to the calling of Paul the apostle when he says: "He (God the Father) set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles" when It is true that our God is mysterious and wonderful. He is also good in all that he does" (E.S.V., 2001, Galatians 1: 15). This is 'good news'. God set St. Paul apart and called him to a greater purpose, and because of this, the Gospel was delivered to the Gentile world! For it says in scripture "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (E.S.V., 2001, Romans 10:15)
"Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you" (E.S.V., 2001, Psalm 31:19). Jesus, your goodness is abundant and I thank thee for your “grace is sufficient", for your "power is made perfect in weakness" (E.S.V., 2001, 2 Corinthians 12:9). For when I am "weak" you are "strong" (E.S.V., 2001, 1 Corinthians 4:10) . Yes, God is good, and "whoever does good is from God" (E.S.V., 2001, 3 John 1:11). "I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy" (E.S.V., 2001, Exodus 33:19). Thank you Lord Jesus for your sacrifice and for your love for me. You have demonstrated to me a "perfect love" which "casts out fear" (E.S.V., 2001, 1 John 4:18). I do not need to fear for you are good, now and always. Amen. Who will "deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (E.S.V., 2001, Romans 7:24-25). My God, please forgive me for not seeking your face, especially in the lure and enticement of the world with its desires. "Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins" (E.S.V., 2001, Ecclesiastes 7:20)? If it wasn't for your love and mercy I would die in my sin but you are good. "If we are faithless", God "remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself" (E.S.V., 2001, 2 Timothy 2:13). Dearest Jesus, I choose to remain faithful and to see your goodness. "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever" (E.S.V., 2001, Psalm 23:6). Yes Lord, you are good and I declare this day forever more because "I shall dwell in the house of the Lord" our God, forever. "I say to the LORD, 'You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you'" (E.S.V., 2001, Psalm 16:2). Knowing this, that my God has a purpose, a plan, and an outcome for the restoration of my life and those of many; it is my declaration for me, my wife, our children, their children, and the following generations to come, that we will serve the Lord God, in Jesus' name (E.S.V., 2001, Joshua 24:15). "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (E.S.V., 2001, Philippians 2:5-8). Dear Lord Jesus, please forgive me for my sins, for not emptying myself of worldly desire. I pray for my mind in Jesus name, that I can humble myself before you, serving you, obedient to your calling. Amen.
What is it like to have the mind of Christ? I do not know and I am in awe and wonder that God can still love us, even now: "what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him" (E.S.V., 2001, Psalm 8:4). You have not abandoned me Lord. Your mind is on your creation and you wait with patience like a loving father. "I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High" (E.S.V., 2001, Psalm 9:1-2). I can begin by filling my mind and heart with thanks giving and praise for my God is my rescuer. He is my saviour and he is my Lord. For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep. But God shoots his arrow at them; they are wounded suddenly. They are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them; all who see them will wag their heads. Then all mankind fears; they tell what God has brought about and ponder what he has done. Let the righteous one rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him! Let all the upright in heart exult! (E.S.V., 2001, Psalm 64:6-10). Yes, my God will shoot and arrow deep into my heart, he holds a mirror up to my face and I am reminded that I cannot hide from him. I am also reminded that I am created in his image and I am asked to 'follow him' with obedience, to take 'refuge' in him and to not trust in myself or mankind: "Some trust in chariots and some in horses", but my trust is "in the name of the LORD", Jesus Christ" (E.S.V., 2001, Psalm 20:7). I will seek his face, I will seek to know his mind and rest. Dear God, illuminate my mind with your thoughts. Please fill my mind with what is pure, good and noble. Please fill my mind with light. Let your "light shine out of darkness", into my heart today, revealing to me "the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (E.S.V., 2001, 2 Corinthians 4:6). Amen. Lord Jesus, I cannot imagine your mind, your strength, your self-control, and the ability to overcome evil, once and for all. Lord Jesus, you are my inspiration, my Lord, my God. Please forgive me, please help me to fight the "good fight", to finish "the race" well, keeping "the faith", knowing that "there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all" who have continued to run to the end, declaring Jesus as Lord of the Heavens and the Earth, of all that is seen and unseen (E.S.V., 2001, 2 Timothy 4:7-8). Amen. "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God" (E.S.V., 2001, Hebrews 12:1-2). My hope is an enduring race and belief that the crown set before me is of far greater value and beauty than anything I could imagine here on Earth! My hope is a powerful encouragement of the work of Jesus Christ, the immense power of the Holy Spirit, and the unfathomable mystery of God as the creator of the universe. Is there any other motivation required other than to look to the "author of life" (E.S.V., 2001, Acts 3:15)?
"Can reeds flourish where there is no water? While yet in flower and not cut down, they wither before any other plant. Such are the paths of all who forget God; the hope of the godless shall perish" (E.S.V., 2001, Job 8:11-13). Lord Jesus I desire to flourish in your will. Through your guidance, wisdom, and discernment of your Holy Spirit, I wish to serve you, to be blessed, and to be a blessing. I do not wish to perish into the darkness but to rise and meet the light that is God, my creator and redeemer: By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas; the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might; who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples, so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy. (E.S.V., 2001, Psalm 65:5-8) Our joy is in a mighty God who sent the Lord Jesus to die for us so that we may live with great hope. Our hope is our faith and I pray it will not wane but grow knowing that Jesus can rebuke "the wind and said to the sea" and order the storm to, “be still!”, commanding "peace" (E.S.V., 2001, Mark 4:39-40). There is no need to be afraid for we have faith, we have a "steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf" (E.S.V., 2001, Hebrews 6:19). There is nothing that we have gone through that Jesus has not faced head-on for us. Why should I be fearful or full of doubt? When I think of the uncertainty of my future, the choices that I make, and whether they are in alignment with his purpose; why should I fear wrong if I have hope and trust that I am in the will of my creator? I pray that I have "faith like a grain of mustard seed", and say to my mountains, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible” (E.S.V., 2001, Matthew 17:20). My hope is in Jesus Christ, he is the seed of hope that is sown in my heart, and I thankful beyond any words that can be expressed that he has called me to himself. |
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