Hebrews 13:8 NIV, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
I’m very thankful that our Savior remains the same. His unchanging nature gives us a solid foundation. We can rely completely on Him to be who He says He is, and do what He has promised to do.
The world is ever changing. We can look back and easily see how much the world has changed over the years. We never know what to expect from day to day. But God and His Word are constant. We can rest knowing He will never forsake us and that He will faithfully take care of us. In Jesus Christ our future is secure. His love remains the same.
Nothing we encounter takes our Lord by surprise. He will walk with us and hold our hand through all things. We can put our complete confidence in Him. Regardless of what you are facing, may the peace of God guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus as you start this new week (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT).
James 1:5 NIV, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
It’s important to ask the Lord wisdom. As we navigate through life, we need Him to give us knowledge, instruction, and understanding. We are constantly being presented with choices, and we need Him to show us what is best for our lives. He can see all of our days, from beginning to end.
It’s a blessing that He doesn’t leave us alone to just try and figure it all out. Instead He has given us His Holy Spirit to guide us and teach us. Ask the Lord for wisdom, and trust Him to direct your paths daily.
One of the things that I love most about the Lord is that He meets us where we are. He understands everything we are going through. Even when we don’t understand ourselves or our situation, He does. Every step we take is a part of His greater, magnificent plan for our lives. Even when we may feel He is distant, He is near. He knows exactly what we need to get through each new day He allows us to see.
Psalm 145:18 NIV, “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
He doesn’t give up on us, or the purpose He has for us. We’ll go through times where our faith may be weaker than other times. We’ll have to endure unexpected tests and overcome trials. However we’ll also learn many valuable lessons, and experience victories along the way. Regardless of what we go through, our Lord meets us where we are. His grace will always be sufficient to carry us through.
During the workday me and my coworkers usually discuss things that are happening in the news. The news can be scary because the world is becoming scary. It’s terrible what so many people around the world, and even in our own neighborhoods and families are going through. Jesus says in the world we will have trouble, BUT to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world (John 16:33).
Psalm 20:7 NIV, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”
BUT we trust in the name of the Lord our God. This is our hope. No matter what comes our way, we can say, “BUT, I trust in the name of Jesus.” When we trust in Him, we know that He will take care of our every need. His name is the name that saves. His name is above ever other name. One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).
I’m thankful that in Christ Jesus regardless of what we see or hear, we have a BUT. Even when we close our eyes and take our last breath someday, it’s not truly over. We will leave this world behind, BUT we will spend eternity seeing Him face to face in all of His glory.
I sometimes wonder what it’s like to be God. He is omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, and His love never ends. It’s amazing that in all His magnificence, He would still choose to use us as vessels to show the world who He is.
Once we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we have the privilege to be witnesses and help others come to know Him too. Through the power of The Holy Spirit who lives in us, God has given us the ministry of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:18 NIV, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:”
When God gave us His Son, He gave us His very best. We can’t see past the current moment, but He can see all of our days from beginning to end. The life we are living here on Earth, should be preparing us for our eternal life in heaven.
As we prepare, we can help others prepare too, by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with them. The message of the Cross and the power of the blood that was shed there, bring life to this dying world.
Psalm 136:3, “Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His faithful love endures forever.”
There’s no hurt or pain that’s too great for Our Lord Jesus. He lovingly carries every burden we have, if we will only give our burdens to Him. We can tell Him anything, and He still loves us. Over and over again, He still chooses to love us. Nothing can stop His love for us, not even our darkest sins.
His faithful love endures forever…
He knows all there is to know about us, because He knows us so intimately. In His presence we can completely be ourselves. He meets us where we are and patiently waits. He waits while we grow and learn. He waits while we learn to love Him. His love never ceases to amaze me.
His faithful love endures forever…
I’m so thankful for His love today and everyday. His love and grace remain the same. People may change. The world will change. But Jesus Christ, He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever more (Hebrews 13:8). No one or nothing compares to Him.
Proverbs 13:12 ESV, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”
Every time I read this verse, it makes me realize just how important it is for us to have hope. The Bible says that without hope, our hearts will become sick. Having hope is easiest when we feel things are progressing in our favor. But when things are bleak, maintaining a hopeful outlook can be a real challenge. I know for me, I sometimes wonder why God is taking so long. But I know I must remember that His ways are far beyond my understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9).
It always feels good when what we are hoping for manifest. But what about when we’re hoping and hoping and hoping and we still don’t have answers? Should we give up on hope? Based on Romans 12:12, the answer is No.
Romans 12:12 NIV, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
We should joyfully keep on persisting in hope and be patient and prayerful, even when we don’t yet see the resolution that we are waiting for. When we place our hope in Christ, He will not disappoint us. Whatever happens in our lives, will be according to His perfect will.
Romans 5:5 NASB, “and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
I love the words to this hymn, “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less”, written in 1834 by Edward Mote…
“My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
When darkness hides His lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.”
Even on our darkest days, we still have the option to place our hope in Christ Jesus. Nothing is beyond His power. There are many stories in the Bible of those who persevered in hope to encourage us. But one of my favorites is in 1 Kings 17:8-24 about Elijah and the Widow.
Long story short, she and her son were planning to eat their last meal and die (talk about hard times). But when Elijah came along, she still mustered up enough hope and faith to follow the instructions He gave her from the Lord. This resulted in her having food for herself and her family. She never again ran out.
I pray God will strengthen you to keep hoping, keep praying, and keep believing.
I would love to hear about your experiences with maintaining hope in the comments.
Drawing Closer to Christ 