Dear Precious Friends,
I share this today as we've been walking through some really tough times and I know how much I need to be reminded of God's goodness and faithfulness even when life makes us feel broken. God uses the uncertainties in our life to develop our faith and trust in Him. His promises are our fuel to our faith and while we can't figure things out we can remember over and over again throughout history and our own lives, situations that cause fear are opportunities for our faith to become stronger and for us to rise up in worship knowing His faithfulness. Our pain and suffering will not last forever.
Tim Keller writes these thought-provoking words in his book “The Reason for God”
“Embracing the Christian doctrines of the incarnation and Cross brings profound consolation in the face of suffering. The doctrine of the resurrection can instill us with a powerful hope. It promises that we will get the life we most longed for, but it will be an infinitely more glorious world than if there had never been the need for bravery, endurance, sacrifice, or salvation.”
Jesus willingly suffered the greatest pain because he knew the end of the story, and so do we. Scripture shows us in Revelation 21:3-4,
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
We love happy endings. Why? Because we’ve been created to know and walk with God and for those who place their faith in him, that ending will become their reality.
Eternity is coming, and our pain and suffering will not be totally forgotten, but the sting will be removed and eternity will be even greater as a result.
As you walk through suffering today or in the days to come, remember the words of our Savior Jesus Christ: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b
There is a song by Casting Crowns that I love...
It's called...
Praise you in this storm..
And I'll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
That you are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm
https://youtu.be/0YUGwUgBvTU
While walking through this storm, lets remember God's faithfulness and sometimes our brokenness is the real worship of our lives because we undo ourselves we can keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and our ears tuned into His voice.. Let's praise Him in this storm knowing and living this truth! AMEN.
I share this today as we've been walking through some really tough times and I know how much I need to be reminded of God's goodness and faithfulness even when life makes us feel broken. God uses the uncertainties in our life to develop our faith and trust in Him. His promises are our fuel to our faith and while we can't figure things out we can remember over and over again throughout history and our own lives, situations that cause fear are opportunities for our faith to become stronger and for us to rise up in worship knowing His faithfulness. Our pain and suffering will not last forever.
Tim Keller writes these thought-provoking words in his book “The Reason for God”
“Embracing the Christian doctrines of the incarnation and Cross brings profound consolation in the face of suffering. The doctrine of the resurrection can instill us with a powerful hope. It promises that we will get the life we most longed for, but it will be an infinitely more glorious world than if there had never been the need for bravery, endurance, sacrifice, or salvation.”
Jesus willingly suffered the greatest pain because he knew the end of the story, and so do we. Scripture shows us in Revelation 21:3-4,
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
We love happy endings. Why? Because we’ve been created to know and walk with God and for those who place their faith in him, that ending will become their reality.
Eternity is coming, and our pain and suffering will not be totally forgotten, but the sting will be removed and eternity will be even greater as a result.
As you walk through suffering today or in the days to come, remember the words of our Savior Jesus Christ: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b
There is a song by Casting Crowns that I love...
It's called...
Praise you in this storm..
And I'll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
That you are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm
https://youtu.be/
While walking through this storm, lets remember God's faithfulness and sometimes our brokenness is the real worship of our lives because we undo ourselves we can keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and our ears tuned into His voice.. Let's praise Him in this storm knowing and living this truth! AMEN.
