John 17:3
This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God,
and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. ( NASB)
This verse comes from the farewell prayer of our “High Priest” Jesus Christ; a prayer that is essentially an intercession for all believers, especially for those who will go on to form the future church. This was the prayer that Jesus prayed before He and His disciples went into the garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives where Jesus was arrested, and soon after crucified. The eternal life that Jesus is speaking of in this verse is basically His definition of our salvation and the way that we, as believers, can receive it.
Jesus, our High Priest (Hebrews 9:11-12), is the only One who can intercede with God on our behalf. It is only through Jesus, our Lord and Savior, that we can come into the Holy Presence of God the Father. There is no other way, my friends. Good deeds won’t get us there; good behavior won’t get the job done. We cannot buy our way in, nor can we trick our way into Paradise. The only option we have is our faith (Romans 5:1-2) in believing God’s will for us. And the only way that we can know what God’s will is, is through our life-line to God, Christ Jesus.
It is my belief that understanding Jesus’ farewell prayer to His disciples is a prerequisite if we, as Christians, are to successfully minister to the peoples of this fallen world. For after we have spoken from God to them, through the Truth of His Word, we need to then follow through by speaking to God on their behalf through our prayers and petitions (1 Timothy 2:1-7).
A Whisper of Hope
I Am…your only Hope and Salvation. I Am the final High Priest and the only One that can bring you into the Glory of God’s Holy Presence. All other ways preached are the false doctrine of the Deceiver, the father of lies. Don’t be fooled, My child, for I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Hebrews 9:11-12
So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that great, perfect sanctuary in heaven, not made by human hands and not part of this created world. Once for all time He took blood into that Most Holy Place, but not the blood of goats and calves. He took His own blood, and with it He secured our salvation forever. (NLT)
Romans 5:1-2
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
1 Timothy 2:1-7
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God’s mercy upon them, and give thanks. Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, for He wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message that God gave to the world at the proper time. And I have been chosen—this is the absolute truth—as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles about faith and truth. (NLT)
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thanksgiving To God
1 Chronicles 16:8-11, 34
Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples.
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
Speak of all His wonders.
Seek the LORD and His strength;
Seek His face continually.
O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting. (NASB)
King David (through the Spirit) composed this thanksgiving psalm to be sung upon the entry of the Ark into a special tent that was prepared for it. The Ark had been stolen and returned to Israel but sat obscure in a country village until that time when David ordered it to be moved.
As I sit here this Thanksgiving morning pondering the things that fill my heart with thanksgiving and gladness, the one thing that stands apart from the multitude of blessings I am so gratefully thankful for is the lovingkindness and the mercy and grace of God the Father for sending into our world God the Son, Lord Jesus Christ who sent us God the Holy Spirit.
Thanksgiving is traditionally an American holiday set aside from all other days to give thanks to the LORD our God for His many blessings, which has made us a unique nation in a dark and rebellious world that despises His Son. Our mighty nation under God has given more of itself to help the deprived souls of this wicked world than any other nation in the history of man. God has used U.S. for His purpose and it gives me great honor to have been able to defend our God and be called an American. But more importantly I am even more honored to be called a child of the Living God, who has given me the true meaning of what it means to be thankful, for without Him in our world we would be engulfed in total darkness without the Light that gives us life. Without Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior we would be without the hope of better things to come; without a meaningful purpose to satisfy our longing hearts; without the Way that brings true joy and understanding; without the Comforter who gives us peace and confidence to trust during our afflictions. We, my friends, would be raw meat in the jaws of the Enemy who shows no mercy, for He would devour us in his contempt for God and we would never have the chance (know matter how hard we may try) to experience the goodness of who our Creator is and what He has planned for those who believe and trust in the Son He has so graciously given to us. For He is our Light in this dark world and when you take His mighty hand with thanksgiving, my friends, He will lead you into the Presence of God where you will discover His True Majestic Glory face to Face.
Psalm 92:1-2
It is good to give thanks to the LORD
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning
And Your faithfulness by night. (NASB)
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (NASB)
Colossians 1:3
We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NASB)
Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples.
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
Speak of all His wonders.
Seek the LORD and His strength;
Seek His face continually.
O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting. (NASB)
King David (through the Spirit) composed this thanksgiving psalm to be sung upon the entry of the Ark into a special tent that was prepared for it. The Ark had been stolen and returned to Israel but sat obscure in a country village until that time when David ordered it to be moved.
As I sit here this Thanksgiving morning pondering the things that fill my heart with thanksgiving and gladness, the one thing that stands apart from the multitude of blessings I am so gratefully thankful for is the lovingkindness and the mercy and grace of God the Father for sending into our world God the Son, Lord Jesus Christ who sent us God the Holy Spirit.
Thanksgiving is traditionally an American holiday set aside from all other days to give thanks to the LORD our God for His many blessings, which has made us a unique nation in a dark and rebellious world that despises His Son. Our mighty nation under God has given more of itself to help the deprived souls of this wicked world than any other nation in the history of man. God has used U.S. for His purpose and it gives me great honor to have been able to defend our God and be called an American. But more importantly I am even more honored to be called a child of the Living God, who has given me the true meaning of what it means to be thankful, for without Him in our world we would be engulfed in total darkness without the Light that gives us life. Without Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior we would be without the hope of better things to come; without a meaningful purpose to satisfy our longing hearts; without the Way that brings true joy and understanding; without the Comforter who gives us peace and confidence to trust during our afflictions. We, my friends, would be raw meat in the jaws of the Enemy who shows no mercy, for He would devour us in his contempt for God and we would never have the chance (know matter how hard we may try) to experience the goodness of who our Creator is and what He has planned for those who believe and trust in the Son He has so graciously given to us. For He is our Light in this dark world and when you take His mighty hand with thanksgiving, my friends, He will lead you into the Presence of God where you will discover His True Majestic Glory face to Face.
Psalm 92:1-2
It is good to give thanks to the LORD
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning
And Your faithfulness by night. (NASB)
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (NASB)
Colossians 1:3
We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NASB)
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
The Father We Can Trust
Daniel 9:18-19
“O my God, listen to me and hear my request. Open your eyes and see our wretchedness. See how your city lies in ruins—for everyone knows that it is Yours. We do not ask because we deserve help, but because you are so merciful.”
“O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act! For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay, for Your people and Your city bear Your name.” (NLT)
Daniel’s prayer for his people did not go unanswered even though he knew from reading the Scriptures that Jerusalem must lay in ruins for seventy years. Yet, he cried out to God for mercy and confessed the wickedness of Israel. Daniel was well aware that it was Israel’s rebellion against God that had caused their downfall, but he longed for understanding and mercy, therefore, petitioned God through prayer. And while Daniel was deep in prayer God sent His angel Gabriel with visions of what was to come.
As Christians, our prayer life is an intricate part of our relationship with God, our Creator. God delights in our prayers because they not only show God that we are putting our trust in Him, our Father, but we are also acknowledging our dependence on Him, who loves us. When we humbly bow before Him in faith filled prayer we are relying on God’s wisdom, His love and compassion, His goodness and power. The Lord God is our Father and so as His children we should always turn and rely on our Father (Luke 11: 11-13) to provide and protect so that we can gain the wisdom that will not only give us an abundant life in all its fullness, but will also honor and glorify our Gracious Father who has provided us with the priceless, precious gift of undeserved salvation.
Setting aside all the reason’s we should pray, I believe that the most fulfilling aspect of our personal prayer life is the fact that it brings us into a deeper and more intimate relationship with God; not only an increased love and devotion to Him, but a true fellowship that draws us into His Presence with an everlasting friendship that has no bounds. Our prayers are the way we communicate with our loving, merciful, Almighty God and Father. And ever doubt, my friends, that when you humbly come into God’s Holy Presence (with sincere faith in our hearts) to pray, that He will answer you according to His will (Matthew 21:21-22).
A Whisper of Hope
Ask Me in faith…dear one, and it will be done according to My Truth. And when you ask, know that you can trust Me with an answer that is best for you and for the glory of My kingdom. For when you have faith in Me, you have a hope and a future that exceeds anything that you can imagine or dream, because with Me nothing is impossible!
Luke 11:11-13
“Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” (NASB)
Matthew 21:21-22
And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen.” “And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (NASB)
“O my God, listen to me and hear my request. Open your eyes and see our wretchedness. See how your city lies in ruins—for everyone knows that it is Yours. We do not ask because we deserve help, but because you are so merciful.”
“O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act! For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay, for Your people and Your city bear Your name.” (NLT)
Daniel’s prayer for his people did not go unanswered even though he knew from reading the Scriptures that Jerusalem must lay in ruins for seventy years. Yet, he cried out to God for mercy and confessed the wickedness of Israel. Daniel was well aware that it was Israel’s rebellion against God that had caused their downfall, but he longed for understanding and mercy, therefore, petitioned God through prayer. And while Daniel was deep in prayer God sent His angel Gabriel with visions of what was to come.
As Christians, our prayer life is an intricate part of our relationship with God, our Creator. God delights in our prayers because they not only show God that we are putting our trust in Him, our Father, but we are also acknowledging our dependence on Him, who loves us. When we humbly bow before Him in faith filled prayer we are relying on God’s wisdom, His love and compassion, His goodness and power. The Lord God is our Father and so as His children we should always turn and rely on our Father (Luke 11: 11-13) to provide and protect so that we can gain the wisdom that will not only give us an abundant life in all its fullness, but will also honor and glorify our Gracious Father who has provided us with the priceless, precious gift of undeserved salvation.
Setting aside all the reason’s we should pray, I believe that the most fulfilling aspect of our personal prayer life is the fact that it brings us into a deeper and more intimate relationship with God; not only an increased love and devotion to Him, but a true fellowship that draws us into His Presence with an everlasting friendship that has no bounds. Our prayers are the way we communicate with our loving, merciful, Almighty God and Father. And ever doubt, my friends, that when you humbly come into God’s Holy Presence (with sincere faith in our hearts) to pray, that He will answer you according to His will (Matthew 21:21-22).
A Whisper of Hope
Ask Me in faith…dear one, and it will be done according to My Truth. And when you ask, know that you can trust Me with an answer that is best for you and for the glory of My kingdom. For when you have faith in Me, you have a hope and a future that exceeds anything that you can imagine or dream, because with Me nothing is impossible!
Luke 11:11-13
“Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” (NASB)
Matthew 21:21-22
And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen.” “And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (NASB)
Monday, November 22, 2010
The Living God
Daniel 6: 25-27
Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world:
“Peace and prosperity to you!
I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel.
For He is the Living God, and He will endure forever.
His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His rule will never end.
He rescues and saves His people;
He performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth.
He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” (NLT)
After King Darius, the successor of King Nebuchadnezzar, was tricked into signing a deliberate and irrevocable law that would condemn Daniel, the king had no choice but to have Daniel thrown into the lion’s den. But the Sovereign God protected Daniel throughout the night and rescued him from being devoured by the lion’s. And so it was that King Darius was overjoyed in God’s miraculous intervention that he ordered his men to remove Daniel from the lion’s den and sent this message throughout his kingdom, which was the known world at that time.
Throughout the age of man God has been very active in the lives of His people. We know this because His Holy Word, the Bible, is living proof of this. All the words in Scripture are God’s words, and therefore, speak the absolute truth (2 Samuel 7:28), (John 17:17). Just as it was in biblical times, our Gracious God is still very active today protecting and saving His children from the jaws of the roaring lion, Satan, who is always searching for some poor, unprotected soul to devour (1 Peter 5:8). My dear friends, without our sovereign God and Savior and His gift of salvation, this fallen world and all its people would be unprotected and at the hands of the Destroyer; Whereby, every soul would suffer the sting of death and the final wrath of our Holy and Sovereign God. This healthy fear of God should motivate us all to turn away from the lies of the Enemy and his world view and focus on the only Truth that will save our weary souls.
As for myself, I will never let a day go by without thanking my gracious God for saving me from the devouring jaws of Satan, which would have condemned me to an eternal life of being totally separated from the goodness that the LORD our God has planned for all those who cry out to Him for help, trusting fully in the Word that gives life!
A Whisper of Hope
Walk with Me…my child, for I Am your protector. There is nothing I cannot save you from. The power I hold over My creation is absolute. The authority and inerrancy and of My Word is something that you can rely on and trust your life with. It never changes. It is not only the life-line that connects you to Me and holds the keys to Paradise, but it holds within its pages the power to comfort you and give you the power to overcome this world which thrives on your demise.
2 Samuel 7:28
Now, O LORD GOD, You are God and Your words are truth. (NASB)
John 17:17
“Your word is truth”. (NASB)
1 Peter 5:8
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (NASB)
Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world:
“Peace and prosperity to you!
I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel.
For He is the Living God, and He will endure forever.
His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His rule will never end.
He rescues and saves His people;
He performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth.
He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” (NLT)
After King Darius, the successor of King Nebuchadnezzar, was tricked into signing a deliberate and irrevocable law that would condemn Daniel, the king had no choice but to have Daniel thrown into the lion’s den. But the Sovereign God protected Daniel throughout the night and rescued him from being devoured by the lion’s. And so it was that King Darius was overjoyed in God’s miraculous intervention that he ordered his men to remove Daniel from the lion’s den and sent this message throughout his kingdom, which was the known world at that time.
Throughout the age of man God has been very active in the lives of His people. We know this because His Holy Word, the Bible, is living proof of this. All the words in Scripture are God’s words, and therefore, speak the absolute truth (2 Samuel 7:28), (John 17:17). Just as it was in biblical times, our Gracious God is still very active today protecting and saving His children from the jaws of the roaring lion, Satan, who is always searching for some poor, unprotected soul to devour (1 Peter 5:8). My dear friends, without our sovereign God and Savior and His gift of salvation, this fallen world and all its people would be unprotected and at the hands of the Destroyer; Whereby, every soul would suffer the sting of death and the final wrath of our Holy and Sovereign God. This healthy fear of God should motivate us all to turn away from the lies of the Enemy and his world view and focus on the only Truth that will save our weary souls.
As for myself, I will never let a day go by without thanking my gracious God for saving me from the devouring jaws of Satan, which would have condemned me to an eternal life of being totally separated from the goodness that the LORD our God has planned for all those who cry out to Him for help, trusting fully in the Word that gives life!
A Whisper of Hope
Walk with Me…my child, for I Am your protector. There is nothing I cannot save you from. The power I hold over My creation is absolute. The authority and inerrancy and of My Word is something that you can rely on and trust your life with. It never changes. It is not only the life-line that connects you to Me and holds the keys to Paradise, but it holds within its pages the power to comfort you and give you the power to overcome this world which thrives on your demise.
2 Samuel 7:28
Now, O LORD GOD, You are God and Your words are truth. (NASB)
John 17:17
“Your word is truth”. (NASB)
1 Peter 5:8
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (NASB)
Power In Prayer
Daniel 2:19-20
Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven; Daniel answered and said, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever,
For wisdom and power belong to Him.”
Daniel went to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, in order to request more time to discover what the king’s dream was and its interpretation so that he, his three friends, and all the wise men of Babylon would not be put to death for not knowing Nebuchadnezzar disturbing dream. After speaking with the king, Daniel went back home to pray and to ask his three friends to also pray for God’s mercy and to reveal the dream to Daniel. And so it came to be on that very night, a vision from God giving Daniel every detail of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and what it all meant.
Our most powerful God; the One who spoke the universe into existence and create life itself, is the same God who delights and takes a personal interest in all His children’s lives. Because of His character and sovereignty, the LORD sees and hears (both believers and unbelievers) our every cry for His mercy and grace (2 Chronicles 16:9). And just as we see here with Daniel and his friends, all Christians everywhere have this same awesome power that prayer in faith can unlock. Our prayers become a mighty tool for those believers who are humble of heart, for our Mighty God in His providence can work miracles in any life by doing the impossible; things that we cannot accomplish on our own. The LORD is completely sovereign and controls everything in both the physical realm as well as the spiritual realm and there is absolutely nothing that He cannot accomplish (Jeremiah 32:17). And this, my friends, when realized, can do miraculous wonders for those who pray in faith. And just as God answered Daniel and his friend’s prayers, so too, will God answer those who freely bring Him all their troubles and concerns when believing that He will listen and respond in His own time and in His own way according to His will. Then like Daniel, we will be able to sing praises and give thanks to the LORD our God no matter what circumstances we may find ourselves in at any time. Understand this dear brothers and sisters that the Lord our God is your Eternal Father (Isaiah 9:6); a Father who loves you beyond all human understanding. He desires a loving relationship with you, but He will not force it upon you. It is your decision to make. So get to know your One True Father in heaven while you still have time, and with a humble and thankful heart talk with Him in faithful prayer, for when you do you can be sure that He will answer in a way that is forever in your best interest.
A Whisper of Hope
Talk with Me…My child, for when you do I listen. I know what is best for your life. For only in Me will you ever find the true meaning of life, love, and joy.
2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. (NASB)
Jeremiah 32:17
Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by
Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too
difficult for You. (NASB)
Isaiah 9:6
For a child will be born…And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (NASB)
Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven; Daniel answered and said, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever,
For wisdom and power belong to Him.”
Daniel went to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, in order to request more time to discover what the king’s dream was and its interpretation so that he, his three friends, and all the wise men of Babylon would not be put to death for not knowing Nebuchadnezzar disturbing dream. After speaking with the king, Daniel went back home to pray and to ask his three friends to also pray for God’s mercy and to reveal the dream to Daniel. And so it came to be on that very night, a vision from God giving Daniel every detail of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and what it all meant.
Our most powerful God; the One who spoke the universe into existence and create life itself, is the same God who delights and takes a personal interest in all His children’s lives. Because of His character and sovereignty, the LORD sees and hears (both believers and unbelievers) our every cry for His mercy and grace (2 Chronicles 16:9). And just as we see here with Daniel and his friends, all Christians everywhere have this same awesome power that prayer in faith can unlock. Our prayers become a mighty tool for those believers who are humble of heart, for our Mighty God in His providence can work miracles in any life by doing the impossible; things that we cannot accomplish on our own. The LORD is completely sovereign and controls everything in both the physical realm as well as the spiritual realm and there is absolutely nothing that He cannot accomplish (Jeremiah 32:17). And this, my friends, when realized, can do miraculous wonders for those who pray in faith. And just as God answered Daniel and his friend’s prayers, so too, will God answer those who freely bring Him all their troubles and concerns when believing that He will listen and respond in His own time and in His own way according to His will. Then like Daniel, we will be able to sing praises and give thanks to the LORD our God no matter what circumstances we may find ourselves in at any time. Understand this dear brothers and sisters that the Lord our God is your Eternal Father (Isaiah 9:6); a Father who loves you beyond all human understanding. He desires a loving relationship with you, but He will not force it upon you. It is your decision to make. So get to know your One True Father in heaven while you still have time, and with a humble and thankful heart talk with Him in faithful prayer, for when you do you can be sure that He will answer in a way that is forever in your best interest.
A Whisper of Hope
Talk with Me…My child, for when you do I listen. I know what is best for your life. For only in Me will you ever find the true meaning of life, love, and joy.
2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. (NASB)
Jeremiah 32:17
Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by
Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too
difficult for You. (NASB)
Isaiah 9:6
For a child will be born…And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (NASB)
Monday, November 15, 2010
To Whom Will You Go?
John 6:68-69
Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go?
You alone have the words that give eternal life.
We believe them, and we know You are the Holy One of God.” (NLT)
Jesus was asking His twelve disciples if they, too, were going to abandoned Him. Jesus had just finished teaching His disciples about who He was; the True Bread of Life. All of His followers, except the twelve, could not understand what Jesus was saying when He said, “All who eat my flesh and drink my blood remain in Me, and I in them (John 6:56). Those who had abandoned Jesus at that point could only see the humanistic, literal meaning of Jesus’ words, for they were unable to comprehend the spiritual message. On the other hand, eleven of the men that Jesus had hand picked to be His disciples had learned through His teachings that Jesus was who He said He was; the Son of the Living God, and all who came to believe in His every Word would have eternal life in Him.
As I look back on my life-journey, specifically at the times I half-heartedly tried drawing close to God so that I might learn His take on life, I found that there were just too many things (at that time in my life) that I just could not wrap my mind around, because they seemed so out-of-touch with the world I was struggling to survive in. And with each failed attempt I turned and walked further away from God and the Truth, feeling more empty, more unsatisfied, and more hopeless in my quest to find the answers that I so desperately needed; answers that would give true meaning to this hard and difficult life; one that, thus far, had never provided any viable answers I could use, and one with little joy.
The Lord our God is sovereign over all His creation (Colossians 1:17) and there are many things in this life that our finite minds will never understand, but I believe that when a person becomes totally discouraged with the world’s ways of copping with this difficult life and humbly puts his or her life into the mighty and loving hands of our Lord God, Jesus Christ, that He ( our Savior and the Author of Life) will open their eyes to the absolute Truth of God’s Word, and they will begin to see what the Lord wants them to see and understand one day at a time. So it was with me; I had totally given up on my quest for the truth and walked away from God, focusing all my energy on medicating myself to death. But our loving and gracious God had a different plan for me and in His mercy and grace, He intervened at the last moment; sparing me the devastating death I had once so deeply desired and prayed for.
We have a God, my dear friends, who knows precisely how desperately we need Him (Matthew 6:8). We have a Savior who has made it possible for “everyone” to find the peace about this life, which in time, will sustain our hearts in joy until He comes again to restore our world, and all those who believe in Him, to its full glory.
A Whisper of Hope
I Am…your joy and the only One who has the answers that will sustain you in peace and joy while living in this fallen world that is ruled by Satan. And all you need is the faith to believe in Me, for there is a day coming when your earthly life will end, or I will come in all My Glory to lead you Home. Either way, My child, I offer you safety in the shadow of My Wings and all you must do is “Believe and Trust” My Word!
Colossians 1:17
He existed before everything else began, and He holds all creation together. (NLT)
Matthew 6:8
So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need
before you ask Him. (NASB)
Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go?
You alone have the words that give eternal life.
We believe them, and we know You are the Holy One of God.” (NLT)
Jesus was asking His twelve disciples if they, too, were going to abandoned Him. Jesus had just finished teaching His disciples about who He was; the True Bread of Life. All of His followers, except the twelve, could not understand what Jesus was saying when He said, “All who eat my flesh and drink my blood remain in Me, and I in them (John 6:56). Those who had abandoned Jesus at that point could only see the humanistic, literal meaning of Jesus’ words, for they were unable to comprehend the spiritual message. On the other hand, eleven of the men that Jesus had hand picked to be His disciples had learned through His teachings that Jesus was who He said He was; the Son of the Living God, and all who came to believe in His every Word would have eternal life in Him.
As I look back on my life-journey, specifically at the times I half-heartedly tried drawing close to God so that I might learn His take on life, I found that there were just too many things (at that time in my life) that I just could not wrap my mind around, because they seemed so out-of-touch with the world I was struggling to survive in. And with each failed attempt I turned and walked further away from God and the Truth, feeling more empty, more unsatisfied, and more hopeless in my quest to find the answers that I so desperately needed; answers that would give true meaning to this hard and difficult life; one that, thus far, had never provided any viable answers I could use, and one with little joy.
The Lord our God is sovereign over all His creation (Colossians 1:17) and there are many things in this life that our finite minds will never understand, but I believe that when a person becomes totally discouraged with the world’s ways of copping with this difficult life and humbly puts his or her life into the mighty and loving hands of our Lord God, Jesus Christ, that He ( our Savior and the Author of Life) will open their eyes to the absolute Truth of God’s Word, and they will begin to see what the Lord wants them to see and understand one day at a time. So it was with me; I had totally given up on my quest for the truth and walked away from God, focusing all my energy on medicating myself to death. But our loving and gracious God had a different plan for me and in His mercy and grace, He intervened at the last moment; sparing me the devastating death I had once so deeply desired and prayed for.
We have a God, my dear friends, who knows precisely how desperately we need Him (Matthew 6:8). We have a Savior who has made it possible for “everyone” to find the peace about this life, which in time, will sustain our hearts in joy until He comes again to restore our world, and all those who believe in Him, to its full glory.
A Whisper of Hope
I Am…your joy and the only One who has the answers that will sustain you in peace and joy while living in this fallen world that is ruled by Satan. And all you need is the faith to believe in Me, for there is a day coming when your earthly life will end, or I will come in all My Glory to lead you Home. Either way, My child, I offer you safety in the shadow of My Wings and all you must do is “Believe and Trust” My Word!
Colossians 1:17
He existed before everything else began, and He holds all creation together. (NLT)
Matthew 6:8
So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need
before you ask Him. (NASB)
Faithful Is The LORD
Psalm 78:56
Yet though He did all this for them,
they continued to test His patience.
They rebelled against the Most High
and refused to follow His decrees. (NLT)
The psalmist here was talking about God’s faithfulness to His people Israel; having led them safely out of Egypt, the LORD provided and protected them throughout their wanderings in the wilderness until He brought them into the Promised Land. Yet they turned their backs on Him in rebellion. Even though we have a gracious and loving God, sin has its devastating consequences. Like His people Israel, the LORD will turn away and allow our enemies to defeat us, and if we are wise, we will learn from our mistakes by understanding why God has allowed this to happen and then ask for His forgiveness and repent.
We live in a sinful world; in a sinful body and no matter how thankful we are for God’s grace and forgiveness, we will always fall short of God’s glorious standard. There are times in my life when I feel much like an Israelite; one moment…praising and thanking God for saving me from the sin that can so easily take a hold of me, and the next moment… falling prey to one of the many temptations that robs from me the opportunity to glorify and honor God. Ever since God created man to walk upon this earth the story has been the same—we walk with God and praise Him for a time, then we falter and rebel against Him, and He graciously forgives and saves us. After awhile it should become quite apparent that as imperfect, sinful human beings, we are helpless in our quest to do what is right without God’s help (Romans 7:24, 25). We simply do not have the power to survive on our own—we cannot save ourselves from the enemy of our souls, nor can we earn our way into God’s grace. We must fully understand and live by this truth, for it is our only hope. When I came to the realization that I was powerless against the forces of evil and that I had to rely on the mighty power of God to live, He gave me the ability to humbly surrender both my will and my life to Him, and I gained the wisdom to know that I would always sin and fall short of His glorious standard, and when I did—He would forgive and forget (Romans 3:23-24).
There is no One more gracious, nor One more loving than our Almighty God. And there is no One who is more compassionate and forgiving than Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior (Psalm 86:8). And when this fact is written on your heart you will gain the wisdom of knowing that while you live in this fallen body you will always fall short of God’s glory, but God has made a way for you to be forgiven and transformed. And when this happens, it will then become amazingly clear; who you are and who you are not.
A Whisper of Hope
I Am your Redeemer…My child, the only One you can trust with your life. There is no power greater than I, and My power is your life-line. The only way you can defeat the Enemy and save your soul is by relying on the Truth that will set you free. This is My Word…This is My Promise.
Romans 7:24, 25
Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. (NLT)
Romans 3:23-24
For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet now God in His gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins. (NLT)
Psalm 86:8
The is no one like You among the gods, O Lord,
Nor are there any works like Yours. (NASB)
Yet though He did all this for them,
they continued to test His patience.
They rebelled against the Most High
and refused to follow His decrees. (NLT)
The psalmist here was talking about God’s faithfulness to His people Israel; having led them safely out of Egypt, the LORD provided and protected them throughout their wanderings in the wilderness until He brought them into the Promised Land. Yet they turned their backs on Him in rebellion. Even though we have a gracious and loving God, sin has its devastating consequences. Like His people Israel, the LORD will turn away and allow our enemies to defeat us, and if we are wise, we will learn from our mistakes by understanding why God has allowed this to happen and then ask for His forgiveness and repent.
We live in a sinful world; in a sinful body and no matter how thankful we are for God’s grace and forgiveness, we will always fall short of God’s glorious standard. There are times in my life when I feel much like an Israelite; one moment…praising and thanking God for saving me from the sin that can so easily take a hold of me, and the next moment… falling prey to one of the many temptations that robs from me the opportunity to glorify and honor God. Ever since God created man to walk upon this earth the story has been the same—we walk with God and praise Him for a time, then we falter and rebel against Him, and He graciously forgives and saves us. After awhile it should become quite apparent that as imperfect, sinful human beings, we are helpless in our quest to do what is right without God’s help (Romans 7:24, 25). We simply do not have the power to survive on our own—we cannot save ourselves from the enemy of our souls, nor can we earn our way into God’s grace. We must fully understand and live by this truth, for it is our only hope. When I came to the realization that I was powerless against the forces of evil and that I had to rely on the mighty power of God to live, He gave me the ability to humbly surrender both my will and my life to Him, and I gained the wisdom to know that I would always sin and fall short of His glorious standard, and when I did—He would forgive and forget (Romans 3:23-24).
There is no One more gracious, nor One more loving than our Almighty God. And there is no One who is more compassionate and forgiving than Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior (Psalm 86:8). And when this fact is written on your heart you will gain the wisdom of knowing that while you live in this fallen body you will always fall short of God’s glory, but God has made a way for you to be forgiven and transformed. And when this happens, it will then become amazingly clear; who you are and who you are not.
A Whisper of Hope
I Am your Redeemer…My child, the only One you can trust with your life. There is no power greater than I, and My power is your life-line. The only way you can defeat the Enemy and save your soul is by relying on the Truth that will set you free. This is My Word…This is My Promise.
Romans 7:24, 25
Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. (NLT)
Romans 3:23-24
For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet now God in His gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins. (NLT)
Psalm 86:8
The is no one like You among the gods, O Lord,
Nor are there any works like Yours. (NASB)
Blessed Be The LORD
Psalm 68:19
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden,
The God who is our salvation. (NASB)
For those people who have totally surrendered their lives to the LORD their God, relying on Him to guide their life-journey, it becomes quite natural to praise and give Him thanks for all that He has done and will continue to do, but specifically for the price He paid for our salvation—the saving grace of salvation that no one deserves, nor could ever accomplish on their own. And just knowing that you have in the Lord, Christ Jesus, a personal Savior with whom you can trust and unload those heavy burdens that weigh you down, will give you the peace you need in order to rest and gain the strength it takes to live in this cruel world that wants to constantly beat you down and rob from you the precious gift of a glorious new life in heaven.
My dear friends, I believe that the best gifts we can bring to the LORD our God are our lives and our praise. It delights the LORD when we humbly open our hearts and share every detail of our lives with Him, and it honors Him greatly when we live in thanksgiving regardless of our circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). During my faith walk with the LORD, I have discovered that He not only takes delight in these things, but He also makes a point of walking at our side doing the things that we cannot do for ourselves (Proverbs 16:7). What I find so incredible is that we have, as God’s children, the same Saving Power that raised our Lord Jesus from the grave, and the same Mighty Power that created and holds the universe together, available to help us in our times of need. We have many reasons to praise and worship the One who formed us with His very hands and gave us life, but it is our salvation that we should be most thankful for, because without it, living in this sin-filled world that is spinning out of control would have no lasting meaning nor value, and we would all be without the Hope of a better world and a better life to come (Romans 6:23)!
A Whisper of Hope
Honor Me, My child…with songs of thanksgiving and by living a righteous life, for without Me your future is bleak. When you entrust your entire life-journey to Me, I will direct your steps with precision and bring you safely Home where you belong. The journey is tough, but the rewards are great. My desire has always been to provide you with the Way, the Truth, and the Life. So take My hand with confidence, dear child, and we will walk the journey Home together!
1Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (NASB)
Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. (NASB)
Romans 6:22
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God
is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NLT)
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden,
The God who is our salvation. (NASB)
For those people who have totally surrendered their lives to the LORD their God, relying on Him to guide their life-journey, it becomes quite natural to praise and give Him thanks for all that He has done and will continue to do, but specifically for the price He paid for our salvation—the saving grace of salvation that no one deserves, nor could ever accomplish on their own. And just knowing that you have in the Lord, Christ Jesus, a personal Savior with whom you can trust and unload those heavy burdens that weigh you down, will give you the peace you need in order to rest and gain the strength it takes to live in this cruel world that wants to constantly beat you down and rob from you the precious gift of a glorious new life in heaven.
My dear friends, I believe that the best gifts we can bring to the LORD our God are our lives and our praise. It delights the LORD when we humbly open our hearts and share every detail of our lives with Him, and it honors Him greatly when we live in thanksgiving regardless of our circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). During my faith walk with the LORD, I have discovered that He not only takes delight in these things, but He also makes a point of walking at our side doing the things that we cannot do for ourselves (Proverbs 16:7). What I find so incredible is that we have, as God’s children, the same Saving Power that raised our Lord Jesus from the grave, and the same Mighty Power that created and holds the universe together, available to help us in our times of need. We have many reasons to praise and worship the One who formed us with His very hands and gave us life, but it is our salvation that we should be most thankful for, because without it, living in this sin-filled world that is spinning out of control would have no lasting meaning nor value, and we would all be without the Hope of a better world and a better life to come (Romans 6:23)!
A Whisper of Hope
Honor Me, My child…with songs of thanksgiving and by living a righteous life, for without Me your future is bleak. When you entrust your entire life-journey to Me, I will direct your steps with precision and bring you safely Home where you belong. The journey is tough, but the rewards are great. My desire has always been to provide you with the Way, the Truth, and the Life. So take My hand with confidence, dear child, and we will walk the journey Home together!
1Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (NASB)
Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. (NASB)
Romans 6:22
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God
is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NLT)
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