What is faithfulness? How do we measure hope? In Isaiah a promise is given by God to the people of Israel that help and hope will come into the of despair and wickedness of the world. “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted. The LORD will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father’s house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah-the king of Assyria.’” Isaiah 7:14-17 How would you live knowing that a promise from God had been given that will bring hope to your weary, broken, and helpless life? Would you wait expectantly for the fulfillment of the promise? How long do we wait for before we give up hope? The expectation and desire for complete fulfillment of a promise is based wholly on the the progenitor of the promise. Is God faithful? Can you hope in Him? Continue Reading…
Still awaiting the fulfillment of promise: Isaiah 7 and 8
Cling to the Lord your God, not to this world: Joshua 23 and 24
What do you cling to? In the midst of the joyful, abundant, and peaceful times of your life what do you cling to? When you are faced with tribulation, trials, and death what do you cling to? The end of Joshua’s life has come and he is imparting final words of encouragement to the people of Israel. These words are centered on the the simple question of what will you cling to in the years to come. What will they choose to cling to?
As I read Joshua 23 I am filled with amazement at the last words of this leader of Israel. At the age of one hundred and ten Joshua knows that it is time for him to impart his closing words exhorting the sons of Israel just as Moses did throughout Deuteronomy. What can you tell a nation so that they will not fall away from the God that has brought them peace and prosperity? Continue Reading…
grace 1.0
Over two months ago I started a meditation on what grace is with my grace 0.5 post and this is what I have come to understand through my journey. I am a failure! How often do I find my self stuck in the muck and mire of daily life and I each time I think that I can help myself. My desire for independence clouds the reality of my hopelessness. I stand so long thinking that I am able to anything I want. I am conceded and confident because I can gain the favor of men. Since I can gain the favor of men there is no reason why I can’t gain God’s favor. This thinking is why I so often feel adrift and hopeless because I am relying and centered on what I perceive I can do. Continue Reading…
Consistency 1.0
So I have not really been reading my Bible as I would like lately. I can easily feel like I am a bad christian or lack motivation because I have been lacking motivation. I don’t feel bad at all because:
Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.’ But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”
– Matthew 26:31 NASB Continue Reading…
Benchmark for life contained in a boiling pot of water and some noodles
Today I have crossed a new benchmark in life. I boiled water and cooked some noodles. Now this may not seem like that big of a deal but that pot of water is the first time I have been able to stand and cook in over 2 years. It has been a long road to get here. I was able to help do the dishes yesterday also! I would have to say that my recovery is going great! It is nice to feel like I am 7 foot tall. There are many doctors and nurses who are shocked when they see me stand up and I tower over them.
I pray that you will find encouragement knowing that God is active in this world. God is not sitting idle as we travel through this world. I have seen God over these last years work in many great and mighty ways. It is as John states that Jesus did many other things then were written in the Bible. Continue Reading…
