Heaven Rewards

1 Peter 1:3-4

Now we live with a wonderful expectation because

Jesus Christ rose again from the dead.  For God has

reserved a priceless inheritance for His children.  It

is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond

the reach of change and decay.  And God, in His mighty

 power, will protect you until you receive this salvation,

because you are trusting Him.  (NLT)

From the moment sin entered into our world, life has become an everyday struggle just trying to stay alive, leaving little time for anything else, because there are just too many unplanned difficulties and hardships that seem to take the joy out of living.  Disasters are always lurking around every corner, whether they are natural disasters, man-made disasters, or self-inflicted disasters.  And every day we face the realities of sickness and death; two realities that are common in this world and no one is spared.  Life is hard and difficult for most, and yet, we do whatever it takes to hang on just one more day.  I have often wondered what it is about this difficult life filled with so much misery, that makes most people want to hang on to it.  The world is not a friendly place.  It does its best to beat us down and take what little joy we can find.  There are a couple of main reasons why people cling to this life.  The first being that God designed into the very fiber of who we are, the desire to live forever and enjoy it.  The second, being a bit bleaker, is it's our fallen human nature to fear the unknown—that this life may be the only life we have--or even worse, will we suffer the final consequences for our bad behavior? 

     The Lord masterfully created life on earth and it was good.  But because of one bad angel and one man’s disobedience, all of creation paid the price.  And so, it is that sin and death are now an imminent part of living in this world that cries out for justice—cries that the Lord has heard and answered.  For when our Savior returns to the earth the second time, He will get rid of the bad and make all things new.  He has promised to create a new heaven and earth as it was intended to be—perfect in every way; void of pain and sorrow and the stench of death. When you truly believe in God’s eternal plan for you, my friend, you will long to be with Jesus and will no longer live in fear of death, because you will know that all your hardships and struggles, your pain and sorrow, and all our fears and failures will not have been in vain. 

                           A Whisper of Hope 

Remember My child…that you live in a fallen world where nothing is as it was created to be.  Much frustration and failure will result from your seeking perfection in this life.  There is nothing perfect about this world but Me.  This is why your closeness to Me not only satisfies the deep eternal yearnings you have, but it will also fill your troubled life with joy and peace. 

1 Peter 1:13

Look forward to the special blessings that will   

come to you at the return of Jesus Christ.  (NLT)

           Take delight in the LORD, and He will

               give you your heart’s desires.

                            (Psalm 37:4)

                                Alive in God

Deuteronomy 30:20

“That you may love the LORD your God,

that you may obey His voice, and that you

may cling to Him, for He is your life and the

length of your days.”  (NKJ)

Apart from the love of God there is only disappointment and darkness, and it matters not how rich or famous, or how poor or unknown you may be, because living without God is not living at all.  Without the Lord, the universe and everything in it would be nothing but endless chaos—no life, no purpose .  No sunrises or sunsets, no oceans or mountain streams, no lush forests teaming with wildlife, nor any fragrance or colors to pleasure our senses.  There would be neither gentle breezes nor refreshing rains.  No music, no joy, no laughter, no children, no love, and no hope.  Without our amazing God, there would be absolute nothingness.  And without God’s unconditional love, mercy and grace, life on this earth would not be very pleasant; it would be nothing more than a dark and painful struggle to survive—a struggle that no one would survive.  When you chose to live your life without acknowledging there is a God, you are living in denial; not wanting to admit your weakness, believing you are the one in charge and this life is all about you.        

     When you choose the world over God, you are living the life of a fool, because living apart from the Creator will ultimately lead to some very dire and very long- lasting consequences.  When people rely solely on the physical world and others, this life becomes rather frivolous because the earth and everything in it will one day pass away.  The only thing to be gained by living and dying apart from the living God of Creation is eternal darkness, forever separated from the Light, to live in an all- consuming darkness with much pain and suffering and no chance to escape.   If you have not chosen to live in the Way of the Lord, there is no better time than now to connect with Christ Jesus, your Lord God and Savior.  Surrender to Him and He will give you a new and better life—one that is truly alive and one that is everlasting.  Now is the time, because tomorrow may be too late!

                              A Whisper of Hope 

 I Am…the Way, the Truth, and the key to eternal life.  Without Me, your life-journey in this world will not end well, my child.  Life without the Living God is no life to live, for it becomes all about everything that will one day disappear.  I created your life to be eternal, and apart from me there is no joy, nor will you find any peace.  The world tries to draw you away from Me, but do not be fooled, for this life is but a breath; eternity is forever!

Matthew 16:25-26

If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will

lose it. But if you give up your life for Me, you

will find true life. And how do you benefit if you

gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the

process?  Is anything worth more than your soul?  (NLT)

             For You are the Fountain of Life, 

              the Light by which we see!

                      (Psalm 36:9)  

                        His Glory

Isaiah 53:2-9

My Servant grew up in the LORD’S presence like a tender green 

shoot,sprouting from a root in dry and sterile ground. There was 

nothing beautiful or majestic about His appearance, nothing to 

attract us to Him.  He was despised and rejected—a man of 

sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on 

Him and looked the other way when He went by. He was despised, 

and we did not care.

     Yet it was our weaknesses He carried; it was our sorrows 

that weighed Him down. And we thought His troubles were a 

punishment from God for His own sins.  He was beaten that we 

might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of 

us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God’s paths to 

follow our own.  Yet the LORD laid on Him the guilt and sins of

 us all.

     He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet He never said 

a word.  He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep 

is silent before the shearers, He did not open His mouth. From 

prison and trial they led Him away to His death. But who among 

the people realized that He was dying for their sins—that He 

was suffering their punishment? He had done no wrong, and He 

never deceived anyone. But He was buried like a criminal; He 

was put in a rich man’s grave. (NLT)

     Praising the Lord Jesus Christ, our Creator, Redeemer, and the Lover of our souls should come with every breath we take.  I cannot imagine starting the day without acknowledging the glory and majesty, the mercy and grace, and the unconditional love and forgiveness that makes up the essence of our Great Sovereign God and Savior—the One who provided the Way for all of us to escape the decadence around us that is driving this fallen world into a horrible and terrifying end.  This gracious provision of unearned salvation gives witness to who our awesome God really is and all He has done.  Every morning when I sit in God’s presence, filling my heart with the warmth of the Son, it awakens my soul to bathe in the glory of His Light.   And I urge you, my dear brothers and sisters, to join in and bathe in the Son’s Light—for when you do, the fog will clear and you will be able to see and soak in the Son who willfully gave you an awesome reason to have joy and purpose in your life.

                                  A Whisper of Hope

 Be filled with My Presence…when you sit quietly with Me, My child.  For in this fallen world you need the Light of the Son to lead you out of the darkness and into the Land of the Living.  And it is in My Presence that you will find the strength and wisdom and courage to face the uncertain day before you and the Hope for a glorious tomorrow.

1 Corinthians 10:31

Therefore, whether you eat or drink,

or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  (NKJ)

      And let the whole earth be filled with His glory!

                           (Psalm 72:19)

                           Victory Deeds

Deuteronomy 32:4

He is the ROCK; His deeds are perfect. Everything He does is 

just and fair.He is a faithful God who does no wrong; How just 

and upright He is!  (NLT)

     There is absolutely no Rock more solid than the LORD our God.  There is no stronger foundation in which to build our lives upon than the Rock of our salvation, Christ Jesus.  And because of the solidness of the Rock, when we tap into His wisdom and power, it enables us to withstand the onslaught of temptations and trouble that Satan controls the world through.  The Rock gets us over the many hurdles that are a part of living in this imperfect world.  We are God's creation and cannot exist without Him. We cannot fight and win the battles for our hearts and souls without the sovereign strength and wisdom of God.  There are times when our circumstances are beyond human control and they cause us a lot of anger, resentment, or hopelessness that turns into frustration, confusion, and not knowing which way to turn or what to do.  And it is these kinds of obstacles in living that leave us exhausted and feeling ashamed because of our inability to fix it. 

     Our Creator is our Rock and Savior and He not only knows and understands the human nature completely—our strengths, our weaknesses, our frustrations, and even our deepest and most inner feelings, but He also knows everything about everything, and how to fix everything.  The Rock of our salvation has everything we need to help us through any kind of circumstance that comes our way—good or bad.  Our Sustainer and Provider, Christ Jesus, is the best option you and I have, my friends, especially when we humbly surrender to His will and sovereignty.  He is always available and ready to help resolve what you are faced with.  He is also able and willing to direct the path of your life-journey that will lead you safely Home.  The Rock is the greatest Helper, Healer, and Provider you will ever have, and He will do for you what no one else can do. You can be victorious in the battles of life with Him.

                                A Whisper of Hope

Always come to Me first, dear child…in anything you need help with.  Accept them for what they are—the reality of living in a fallen world.  You can let them destroy you or you can rely on Me to bring you victory.  I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Come to your Rock and sit quietly in My Presence and know that I can do all things!

2 Samuel 22:31

As for God, His Way is perfect;

The Word of the LORD is proven;

He is a Shield to all who trust in Him.  (NKJ)

               He alone is my rock and my salvation,

        my fortress where I will never be shaken.

                         (Psalm 62:2)   

                     Heart and Soul

Joshua 22:5

“But be very careful to obey all the commands

and the law that Moses gave to you.  Love the

LORD your God, walk in all His ways, obey His

commands, be faithful to Him and serve Him

with all your heart and all your soul.”  (NLT)

     Our hearts and souls are the deepest parts of our very existence—the essence of who we are.   And the only One who knows what truly lies in the depths of our most inner being, is the One who created us; our Lord God and Savior, Jesus Christ.  We often hide our true feelings by the external things that we say or do, but it is only God who really knows what is in our hearts and souls.  When I first began to believe that there was absolutely nothing hidden from the eyes of God, it gave me enough fear and reverence for the Lord to change my thoughts, words, and actions, because I not only feared the final wrath of God, but I wanted to also please Him.   And as I began to grow in my faith and knowledge of the attributes of our Sovereign God's incredible and unchanging character, it became a blessed check and balance for me.  I became less afraid of Him, more willing to follow His will, and the desire to express my gratitude and love for Him.   Once I figured out how frivolous it was trying to hide the dark things in my life from the Lord God, I began to enjoy living in the Light of God’s Truth, and the difference was much like night and day. 

     Living a new life-journey in the Light of God’s Truth is never an easy task for any of us, but the Lord will take your hand, my friend, like He did for me, and gently guide you back into the land of the living—one step, and one day at a time.   Learning how to live a godly life is not only a life-changing lesson that you will never regret in this lifetime, but it is also God’s way of preparing you for the eternal life to come.  Once you have the Promises of God written on your heart and buried into your soul, this life will become more enjoyable than you ever thought possible!  

                              A Whisper of Hope

Don’t hide in the dark, My child…for I see can and hear all things visible or invisible.  There is nothing that you do that causes Me to love you less.  You cannot surprise Me, nor can you shock Me, for I have seen it all.  And has you move through your day, fix your eyes on Me.  Gaze upon your Creator with love in your heart and I will refresh your soul.

Jeremiah 24:7

Then I will give them a heart to know Me,

that I am the LORD; and they shall be My

people, and I will be their God, for they

shall return to Me with their whole heart.  (NKJ)

                 Incline your ear, and come to Me.  

            Hear, and your soul shall live.

                       (Isaiah 55:3)

                      One Who Saves

Psalm 138:7 

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me.

You will stretch forth your hand against the wrath of my

enemies. And Your right hand will save me.  (NASB)

     We happen to live in a beautiful but fallen world, where everyday life finds us surrounded by troubles and uncertainties.  If you want to grasp the true reality of the troubles our world is faced with, all we must do is turn on the news, or in many cases just look out our windows. Trouble and uncertainty are facts of life for every living creature, no matter where they live on this planet.  It has been this way since the fall of mankind and it will continue this way until the end of time. 

     So is there any hope for our world?  Is there anyone or anything that can really fix it?  Is there any hope or are we just dreaming waiting to die?  Or are we just living in denial in order to mask the hopelessness that has overwhelm us? How many of us have cried out to God during impossible odds, begging Him for deliverance, only to continue suffering at the hands of this world? 

     O, my friends, there is real hope and that Hope lies at the foot of the cross of our Lord God and Savior, Jesus Christ. I know because I can now look back on my life and see how the hand of God was protecting, providing, and giving me chance after chance to come to Him. If you are now where I was, desperately trying to survive with purpose in this storm filled life, and being coerced by the Enemy to believe all is hopeless; it is not, for there is always hope when you belong to God. It is vital for our survival that we understand and believe in God; that His Plan is for everyone who humbly admits there many sins against God's holy ways.  For then, in those times of seemingly utter hopelessness He will “stretch out His hand” and if you chose to grab hold in faith, He will turn your hopelessness into joy and give you His peace. It never ceases to amaze me what our gracious God can accomplish in the lives of His people when we live a faith filled life of trusting in Him. Our Lord Jesus has freed you from the final wrath of God if you choose, which is unimaginably far worse than anything the world can put you through. And it is for this reason that you should repent and rejoice. We have a God who saves any life, anywhere, and at any time.

                  A Whisper of Hope

Fear not, My child…for I Am always with you. I will never leave you, nor will I forsake you!  Let this assurance soak into your heart and soul, until you overflow with My peace and joy.  The world around you is relentlessly pursuing your demise.  Take refuge in Me—the One who saves.

Isaiah 33:2                               

But Lord, be merciful to us, for we have

waited for you.  Be our strength each day

and our salvation in times of trouble.  (NLT)

  “The LORD God of your fathers has spoken to you;

                do not fear or be discouraged.”

                         (Deuteronomy 1:21)

                         Sorrow for Joy

Jeremiah 31:13

For I will turn their mourning into joy.  I will comfort

them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing.  (NLT)

     What incredible joy there is when we know this Truth from our LORD God, even in the midst of our darkest moments.  No matter how difficult our circumstances may be, joy can always be found when we stop focusing on our troubles and take some time to focus on the Lord and His promises.  We have a loving God, my friends, who watches over and cares about every detail of our lives.  I know that it can be quite difficult at times understanding why God would allow all the pain, suffering, and sorrow that most of us go through while living in this world, but the one thing that will give you hope and the peace about your circumstances, is the promise that one day the Lord our God, Christ Jesus will return to make all things right for those who love, know, and obey Him faithfully. 

     Unfortunately, the devil has deceived much of this world into believing that the Christian’s hope is only for the poor and weak and only the strong survive, because they believe their destiny lies in the strength of their own makings.  But fortunately, by the mercy and grace of our righteous and loving God we have the Truth that will set us free from the lies that this world embraces and lives by.  Our Creator has given the peoples of this world the Living Light that exposes all the deceit and darkness of the devil.  God's eternal Light brightens the only path that leads to the everlasting joy of living, whether it's in this life or in the next.  Put your hope in the promises of our Lord God, Jesus Christ, my friends, and you will not only experience real joy in your troubled life now, but you will also gain a renewed heart and mind that will be at peace with the world around you.  Let the true Savior of the world lift you up in joy so that the entire world will know that you belong to Him and that He lives in you.

                                 A Whisper of Hope

Trust Me, dear child…for there is no need to live in fear and uncertainty.  There will be times when your life-journey is dark and spinning out of your control, but this is when you must be still and know that I Am God.  Let Me pull you from the darkness and set you on the Rock that is much stronger than any of your circumstances.  Then take refuge from the heat in the shadow of My wings!

Isaiah 61:10

I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! 

For He has dressed me with the clothing of salvation

and draped me in a robe of righteousness.  (NLT)

 

         In Your presence is fullness of joy.

                      (Psalm 16:11)

                          Trust in Truth

John 12:44-45

Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust Me,

you are really trusting God who sent Me.  For

when you see Me, you are seeing the One who

sent Me.”  (NLT)

     You must truly believe with all your heart, mind, and soul these words from our Lord God, for they are spoken in pure truth, especially if you want to experience a renewed life in this world, and a glorious resurrected life in the new world to come. I say this because if you refuse to believe in the Gospel of our Lord God, Jesus Christ, to follow the manmade truths of this fallen world, you will not only experience the emptiness and futility that comes with trusting in false hope, but you will also experience a very dark resurrection to spend an eternity wishing you could truly die.  As finite human beings, we will never comprehend the full extent of what Jesus accomplished by dying on the cross, but what we do know from Scripture is that upon His death, Jesus took the full punishment for mankind’s sin and rebellion against the righteousness of God throughout the ages. 

     If people would just open their hearts and minds to the facts of God’s glorious redemptive plan and what He had to do to make it possible for anyone of us to share in His eternal inheritance, they would experience the many blessings of joy and peace that He pours out on His children.  Whenever I think of how small and insignificant my life is compared to the vastness of the universe and God’s complete redemptive plan, it boggles my mind to think that the Creator, who holds the entire universe in perfect unison, left the glory of heaven to save such a proud and hateful people from the dire consequences that our detestable, godless behavior towards Him deserves.  God has given us all the living proof we need—proof that He has defeated both sin and death—proof that He can make us new and fill us with joy. Trusting in the Truth, my friends, will not only bring you peace, joy and rest during your weary laden journey in this frustrating world, but He will also reward you with a glorious eternal future as well.

                             A Whisper of Hope 

 I Am your God…the One who gives and keeps on giving.  When I died for you on the cross, I bought your freedom and gave you eternal life that keeps on giving.  I poured out My Life’s blood like a drink offering, just for you--that is My nature; that is who I Am.  Remember, dear child, that My death and resurrection was My victory for you.

Colossians 1:3

For He has rescued us from the one who rules

in the kingdom of darkness, and He has brought us

into the Kingdom of His dear Son.  God has purchased

our freedom with His blood, and has forgiven all our sins.  (NLT)

                           

       “I have told you all this so that 

        you may have peace in Me.”

                    (John 16:33)

                           A Peace of God

Philippians 4:6-7

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell

God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  If you do

this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful

than the human mind can understand.  His peace will guard your

hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.  (NLT)

     The peace that God delivers to those who step out in faith to live a righteous and holy life, is so much more than the temporal peace that this fallen and misguided world can come up with.  God’s promised peace is a peace that can never be taken away from you, because it is everlasting and true.  God’s amazing peace will never let you down nor will it ever disappoint you.  His “perfect peace” will give you both the confidence and the comfort that will calm any of life’s most turbulent storms that blow your way.  God’s peace is a sovereign peace that will give you the courage to stand strong and confident in all situations.  God’s awesome peace will help you overcome the many fears that come with living in this unpredictable world.  God’s loving peace will shine so brightly from your life that others will see the “Light of Peace” in your eyes and they, too, will want what you have, because the darkness that is consuming our world is threatening to swallow them up.  But the most beautiful reality of God’s amazing peace in my life was when I truly became an open recipient of it, I found the courage to face each and every day.  I knew that no matter what this world dumped on me that day, I was safely in His hands and with this kind of peace, I received the day with gladness in my heart, thanksgiving on lips, and God's peace in my heart—a peace that this ungodly and violent world cannot take away!

                                      A Whisper of Hope

My Dear Child…let thankfulness temper all of your thoughts.  Begin and end each day that I give you with thanksgiving and praise.  Have a thankful heart in all circumstances and stay close to Me so that I can bring you My Peace.  There are many who complain and curse Me for their troubles, but a peace of My heart will protect you from this deadly sin!

John 14:27

“Peace I leave with you.  My peace I give to you; not as the world gives

do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  (NKJ)

                   You will keep in perfect peace

                     all who trust in You,

          all whose thoughts are fixed on You.

                            (Isaiah 26:3)

                      Walk of Faith

Romans 3:22

We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in

Jesus Christ to take away our sins.  And we all can

be saved in this same way, no matter who we are

or what we have done.  (NLT)

     Having faith that Jesus Christ is our Lord God and Savior, is the only real hope we have in this life and the next.  Trusting that our Lord God is who He says He is, gives us a new lease on this life that carries on into the next.  Believing in the promises of our Savior brings us both courage and great perseverance in the face of impossible odds.  As it is for all believers, it was only when the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to the Truth that I could put my faith in the Lord and find peace in my life.  With all the uncertainty and turmoil and catastrophes that confront our world everyday—circumstances beyond our control—we must depend on our Creator, for it is only our Lord God and Savior who can rescue and save us from the destruction that is coming to this fallen world in the near future.                             

      When you reject the Truth and ignore God’s saving grace and His future plans for you, you will live in darkness that will, if continued, forever separate you from the goodness of God.  But when you humble yourself before the Lord and admit your powerlessness against the unseen forces that consume and control the world, He will deliver you from your bondage to sin, free you from the fear of death, and begin a healing process that will transform your life no matter how deep into the darkness you were.  And once this happens, dear friend, you will begin to learn what it really means to live, and do it with joy and faith.  And when it becomes your nature to trust and live by faith in Christ Jesus, you will experience the true peace of God; knowing that the Lord is with you wherever you go.

                                A Whisper of Hope

Walk by faith, My child…and not by sight.  And as you take your first step of faith, learn to lean on Me when you trip, for I will teach you, step by step, what you need and when you need it.  Step out in faith and experience the redeeming work of My hands.

For when I give you My Spirit, this empowers you to live beyond your natural ability and strength.

Habakkuk 2:4

“Look at the proud!  They trust in themselves,

and their lives are crooked, but the righteous

will live by their faith.  (NLT)

         So now, through faith in Christ, we are 

                made right with God.

                     (Galatians 3:24)   

                             Words of Life

Colossians 3:16

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness,

fill your lives.  Teach and counsel each other with

 all the wisdom He gives.  (NLT)

     The Word of God is at the heart of human life. It is only through the Living Word of God that anyone can find the kind of peace that helps us persevere the worst this world can dish out.  God’s Word is for anyone who can humble themselves enough to accept the Truth about who they are, who God is, and what God has done and planned for mankind and His creation.  The Light of God’s Truth has exposed the evil that lurks in the darkness of this fallen world, and the only Way we can find our way out of its evil grip that leads to death is by following the Light that God has given us. And this Light for the world is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. 

     Jesus is the only One who has the power to lead is out of the fear, anxiety, and uncertainty that is darkening this world as it heads into destruction.  I have learned over the years that there are billions of little gods on this earth who think they are the center of the universe—that life revolves around them.  But this is not the truth, because our lives are all about the glory of God.  Only by learning the absolute truths that God has so graciously shared with us, will you find any peace within the dark circumstances that surround us on every side.  The lies that have gripped the people of this world are all from the father of lies, the devil, who prowls around in the darkness looking for someone to devour.  The Truth that brings life into its fullest is found only in the Light of God's Truth.  When Jesus shines His Light upon the paths of this difficult journey, you will see the Way, learn the Truth, and live your life-journey has God created you to do.

                               A Whisper of Hope 

Learn to live, My child…above your circumstances, always looking up for answers.  This requires focused time with Me, the One who has given you life.  Troubles, worries, and anxiety are woven into the very fabric of this perishing world, and only My Words of Life can empower you to face the endless assaults of this fallen world and then give you the Light to escape.  As you sit quietly in My Presence, I will shine My Light into your troubled heart and fill you with My ever-lasting Peace.

John 8:12

“I am the Light of the world, he who follows Me

 shall not walk in darkness, but have the Light of Life.”  (NKJ)

     “You have sorrow now, but I will see you again;

        and no one can rob you of that joy!”

                        (John 16:22)

                            Our Best

Isaiah 49:6

He says, “You will do more than restore the people

of Israel to me.  I will make you a Light to the Gentiles,

and you will bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”  (NLT)

     From the beginning God has been our Provider and Redeemer. He promised to send a Savior who would bring salvation to all peoples of this fallen world, and He sent His Son to do just that.  Our Creator knows us completely.  The Lord knows our every weakness, but He also knows what our strengths are. He knows everything we need and don't need. Because our Almighty God is sovereign over every detail of His creation, He knows how dependent we are on Him as our Provider and Protector. We have an awesome God who never gave up on the human race. He took matters into His own hands and rescued us from the selfish, sinful desires that lead to self-destruction—desires that lead us into to eternal death and darkness. 

     Our Lord God is both gracious, merciful, and His lovingkindness reaches to the ends of the Earth.  And the better we understand this, the more sense it makes to keep our focus on Christ Jesus, our Lord God and Savior. As you focus on the Lord and all that He is to us, it becomes natural to praise and exalt Him as the Lord Most High. And the higher you exalt God, the more you will praise Him, and the closer He draws you to Himself. By knowing the Infinite God who created you and what He voluntarily endured for you so you could escape the dark pits of Hell, you should never let a day go by without thanking Him from the depths of your heart.  He deserves no less; He deserves our best.

                       A Whisper of Hope

I am the Resurrection and the Life…Most people search for life in all the wrong places.  They chase after fleeting pleasures by accumulating possessions and wealth, not thinking of the inevitable.  Unlike the world, I freely offer to all people an abundant Life that never ends, especially those who are overwhelmed, weary, lost and hopeless.

1 Samuel 2:1

My heart rejoices in the LORD; My strength

is exalted in the LORD. I smile at my enemies,

because I rejoice in Your salvation.  (NKJ)

          You will keep him in perfect peace, 

               all who trust in You.

                     (Isaiah 26:3)

                    In Glory We Stand

Isaiah 60:19

No longer will you need the sun to shine by day,

nor the moon to give its light by night, for the

LORD your God will be your everlasting light,

and your God will be your glory.  (NLT)

     It is an awesome feeling knowing with certainty that you, a mere human being who has made many mistakes through ungodly choices, will one day, share in the glory of God.  For me, just thinking about that day gives me a peace in my heart that is unlike any peace that this fallen world has to offer.  Knowing that our Creator and Savior provided the way for us to have the opportunity to share in His eternal glory always puts new life and new hope into our hearts!  Even as this world continues spinning out of control, those who belong to God are safely in the hands of our Lord God and Savior, Jesus Christ.  The Lord not only provides us with the strength to persevere when this difficult life is getting the best of us, but He also gives us the wisdom and the willingness to help and comfort those who have given in to the darkness of this fallen world living and are succumbing to their pain and hopelessness. 

     But the Good News is our Savior, Jesus Christ, has overcome this evil world, and no matter how hard or difficult this fallen world makes your life, the hope you have in Jesus will be your Rock and your Refuge; a place where you can find rest for your weary soul, so can stand strong and steadfast in your faith that God is God and the everlasting hope He promises cannot be taken away. This incredible inheritance is both a privilege, an honor and, a gift that was dearly paid for.

                                 A Whisper of Hope 

Be still, My child…  and know that I AM God. There is absolutely nothing in this universe that is more powerful nor more gracious than I Am. One day you will discover how wide, how long, how high and how deep My Love is, but until that day you must trust in My Word.

Psalm 62:5-8

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him. 

He alone is my Rock and my salvation, my Fortress where I will

not be shaken.  My victory and honor come from God alone. He

is my refuge, a Rock where no enemy can reach me.  (NLT)

                   For as the waters fill the sea,

             the earth will be filled with

     an awareness of the glory of the LORD.                  

                     (Habakkuk 2:14)