Do Not Lose Heart

⁸ We are hard pressed on every side,but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

¹³ It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”^[b] Since we have that same spirit of^[c] faith, we also believe and therefore speak,¹⁴ because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.¹⁵ All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

This passage of Scripture was part of my devotions this morning. It’s a great reminder that one day we will have new bodies. One day all of our  pain and suffering will be non existent

I particularly like the last two verses: ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

It is so easy to focus on our problems in life, to dwell on past mistakes and to beat ourselves up over things. But God’s Word tells us to stop doing that and to focus on what is truly important. To focus on what we can’t see. Because one day all of our troubles will be gone. All of our grief will pass away and we will be with the Lord forever and ever.

I’m reminded of the song by Jeremy Camp called “There Will Be a Day” The lyrics are powerful and true.  Check out the lyric video below.

But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering

There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place,
Will be no more, we’ll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we’ll hold on to you always

 

 

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He Knows My Name

***I originally posted just the song lyrics in February of this year but wanted to add more to it after doing my devotions this morning.***

Psalm 139 is one of my favorite passages. It reminds us that God knows us. He knows us more than we know ourselves! He knows our thoughts before we think them, our words before we speak them!

God knows us thoroughly as we go about our everyday chores, at different locations and situations, no matter our condition. He does not abandon us or forget us; nor is He so busy that he neglects us. Even when we are in trouble or difficult circumstances, we are not hidden from His presence.

Lawrence Darmani

We can’t hide from the Lord! He is everywhere! Like it says in verses 7-12, there is nowhere we can go that the Lord will not be there.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
¹² even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

I’ve always loved this song but I’d never seen the video for it until today (2/15/18) . I strongly encourage you to watch it. It’s about 12 minutes long but it’s totally worth it.

Francesca Battistelli-video

Spent today in a conversation
In the mirror face to face with
Somebody less than perfect
I wouldn’t choose me first if
I was looking for a champion
In fact, I’d understand if
You picked everyone before me
But that’s just not my story
True to who You are
You saw my heart
And made
Something out of nothing

I don’t need my name in lights
I’m famous in my Father’s eyes
Make no mistake
He knows my name
I’m not living for applause
I’m already so adored
It’s all His stage
He knows my name oh, oh,
He knows my name oh, oh

I’m not meant to just stay quiet
I’m meant to be a lion
I’ll roar beyond a song
With every moment that I’ve got
True to who You are
You saw my heart
And made
Something out of nothing

I don’t need my name in lights
I’m famous in my Father’s eyes
Make no mistake
He knows my name
I’m not living for applause
I’m already so adored
It’s all His stage
He knows my name oh, oh,
He knows my name oh, oh

He calls me chosen, free forgiven, wanted, child of the King
His forever, held in treasure
I am loved

I don’t need my name in lights
I’m famous in my Father’s eyes

I don’t need my name in lights
I’m famous in my Father’s eyes
Make no mistake
He knows my name
I’m not living for applause
I’m already so adored
It’s all His stage
He knows my name
He knows my name oh, oh
He knows my name

Your Body is a Temple (Scripture on How We Should Treat our Bodies)

How are we to treat our bodies?

Instead of sharing my thoughts on the subject (another blog for another time) I thought I’d just share some Scripture I found on how we are to take care of our bodies!

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (1 Corinthians 12:27)

Therefore I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2)

 

Inner Beauty

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

I’ve always struggled with my looks. I’ve never thought of myself as pretty. My self esteem has always been low. My confidence has always been almost non-existent. I’ve been like this for as long as I can remember.

I’ve gained some weight too. Apparently, fibromyalgia causes weight gain and the medicine I’m on FOR the fibro causes weight gain. Super. I’m determined to get the weight off but it’s a struggle.

And now that I’m struggling with dental problems, things have just gotten worse. I’m 35 years old and need dentures but can’t afford them. I have no dental insurance. I hate to smile these days because I am so embarrassed by how my teeth look.

But just this morning in my devotions, I was reminded that God doesn’t look at outward appearances like man does. In 1 Samuel 16:7, it says

….The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart.

It’s our inner beauty that counts. It’s what our heart looks like that really matters. God doesn’t look at our outward flaws.

He cares about what is on the inside.

How is your heart “appearance?”

Do you struggle with inner beauty?

 

Live Like That

“Live Like That” Sidewalk Prophets

Sometimes I think
What will people say of me
When I’m only just a memory
When I’m home where my soul belongs

Was I love
When no one else would show up
Was I Jesus to the least of those
Was my worship more than just a song

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

This song has such a great message. I encourage you to check it out if you haven’t heard it.

I always wonder if I’m living for Jesus the way I should be. The line in the song, “Was my worship more than just a song” really gets to me because sometimes we can get so wrapped up in the emotions that we forget about what really matters.

Am I doing what Jesus has called me to do? Am I living a life pleasing to Him? Does my heart break for what breaks His?

Life has a funny way of sneaking up on us. We fail. Hardships arise. Do people still Jesus in us when these things happen?

I hope people see Jesus in me wherever I go, in whatever I do.

We should always be ready to give an answer to the hope that is in us. 🙂 I know I mentioned this verse just the other day but it’s important!

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect

I Peter 3:15

 

 

 

Always Be Prepared

In Our Daily Bread’s devotional reading for today the subject was on how we must demonstrate our faith. We must be ready to give an answer for why we behave differently than the world.

When suffering and hardships come our way, how do we respond? Do we respond with a Christlike attitude? Or do we fall apart?

When people ask us why we are “different” we must be ready to give them an answer and we must do it respectfully and gently.

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. Keeping a clear conscience so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

1 Peter 3:15-18

People must be able to see a difference in how we act when hardships arise in our life. If not, if we fall apart, how will they see Jesus? If they see us act one way in church and then a completely different way when bad things happen, our testimony is ruined.

I love Jesus with all my heart. I strive daily to please Him in all I say and do. I mess up, yes I’m human, but thankfully I have a God who is a God of second and third chances….and fourth and fifth chances, etc.  He is always willing to forgive and loves me and you so much.

Like I’ve said before, He longs to have a relationship with you. Won’t you come to Him?

Philippians 3-Following Paul’s Example

Paul says in Philippians 3:10:

I want to know Christ–yes to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.

Many Christians want the first half of this verse. They long to know Christ and his mighty power. But seldom do they think about the second part of the verse–suffering as He did. They don’t want that part.

But to know Christ…..to truly know Christ is to know his suffering. He suffered a bloody death on the cross for US! He was persecuted and shamed and rejected by men. He was mocked, abused and hated by many.

And still……he went through all the torture and abuse for who? Yes, that’s right. FOR US! Because His love is so great for us. His unconditional love for us will never end.

Are we going to suffer the way Christ did? Maybe not. But there are people in the world who ARE tortured and killed for their belief in God.

Paul tells us further in chapter 3 of Philippians to follow his (Paul’s) example:

15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Did you read verse 20? Our citizenship is in HEAVEN! We need to focus not on earthly things but on things above. Things of God. We are temporary citizens in this world. One day we will be in heaven, living with Christ forever. And ever.

When we get to heaven, our “lowly bodies” will be like his “glorious body!” Our worn down and falling apart bodies will be brand new! There will be NO pain, NO sickness, NO tears! Praise the Lord!

The Lord is coming back soon, people! We need to be ready? A quote I found sums it up:

Live as though Christ will return TODAY!

How is your relationship with Christ?

Are you walking with Him daily? 

If you don’t know Christ as your Savior, please feel free to contact me so I can share with you the Good News! God loves you!