God is love

“Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.” —1 John 7-9

Today in church, I could literally feel God’s presence surrounding His children. What I mostly experience in this holy presence was love. An unconditional, unwavering love…

This experience in church today just made me realize again how much God loves us. He gave up His only Son so that we could live (John 3:16). How fortunate and blessed are we to have a Father that loves us that much?

We don’t have to make God love us, He already does. All we have to do is to accept His love and believe. “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” (1 John 4:16).

Take comfort in the knowing that you are not alone—you are special, and you are very much loved (Isaiah 43:4).

“And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”—Romans 5:5

Purpose for your pain

 

“Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”—1 Peter 5:9-10

The last few months haven’t been easy for me. I have had to endure quite a lot of pain and loss, which made me question God’s purpose for me here on earth. It’s not easy to always understand why things happen the way they do.

I found my peace in Jerry Bridges words: “God never allows pain without a purpose in the lives of His children. He never allows Satan, nor circumstances, nor any ill-intending person to afflict us unless He uses that affliction for our good. God never wastes pain. He always causes it to work together for our ultimate good, the good of conforming us more to the likeness of His Son.”

I believe that God ultimately has a purpose for our pain: that out of the ashes of pain and hardship something beautiful will be born (Romans 8:18).

Maybe we have to go through all of these hurtful experiences so that we can realize just how strong we are. Or maybe God allows us to go through these experiences so that we can later help others. 2 Corinthians 1, verses 4 and 6 reads: “God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things.”

Take comfort in the knowing that God sees your pain and your tears and that He is “close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit,” (Psalm 34:18). We can take courage in the fact that He is working everything for our good even the most difficult life situations (Romans 8:28).

Worry ends when faith begins

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”—John 14:27

Last week I was browsing for a gift for someone when I happened to come across a wooden quote board with the words: “Worry ends when faith begins.”

Worry ends when faith begins—it’s that simple! Where there is faith, there can only be peace (John 14:27).

God doesn’t want us to worry about tomorrow or the future (Matthew 6:34), He wants us to give our troubles to Him (1 Peter 5:7). God promises in His Word that He will provide for His children (Philippians 4:19), and that He will protect them (2 Timothy 4:18).

Keeping the faith in tough times is hard, believe me—I know! It’s not easy not to feel anxious or troubled when you or your loved ones face danger or uncertainty. But if there is one thing I can absolutely testify to, is that God does provide, and He does care. As Corrie Ten Boom has stated: “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.”

We cannot always control what happens around or with us, but we can control what we think and what we believe. Our faith is what sets us free. If you believe that God will protect you, that He will provide for you, that He will help and heal you, then that is what God will do (Mark 11:24).

Take comfort in the knowing that we serve a powerful and almighty God—there is nothing He can’t do. You don’t need to fear the darkest valley (Psalm 23:4), the weapons of men (Isaiah 54:17), sickness or disasters (Psalm 91). You are the child of the great Protector. You are the child of a king.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”—John 14:1

Beauty out of ashes

 

“To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.” — Isaiah 61:3

Lately I have been struggling to find the beauty and joy around me. Everywhere I turn there is ugliness, hate and suffering. The things people do to each other, themselves and other living things is numbing. It’s tough to keep the faith when there is so much darkness and so little goodness. Then I found Isaiah 61:3.

Isaiah 61:3 made me realize that there is always a possibility for good, even in this fallen and broken world. Examples from the Bible are plentiful. Just think about the amazing story of Joseph (Genesis 39-50) where God used the sinful intent of his brothers for great good. Another two powerful examples are the stories of Esther and Ruth where God worked all things together for good. But I think the most significant story of them all, is the story of Christ. Not only was His life full of wonder and miracles, but after He had suffered and died at the hand of men (Matthew 27:32-56), Jesus rose from the grave and human history was altered forever for the better.

God’s Word is clear—there is always potential for good in all that happens, particularly if we don’t just look at the outward circumstances. All we need to keep on fighting the good fight, is faith. Faith gives hope which ultimately changes perspectives.

The contemporary worship song In His Time puts these truths to music with these words: “In His time; in His time He makes all things beautiful in His time. Lord, please show me every day as You’re teaching me Your way that You do just what You say in Your time.”

Facing the Storms

 

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” — Deuteronomy 31:8

Unfortunately in life we will have to face numerous obstacles and storms—it’s part of life. Facing these storms may not always seem possible and sometimes too hard to handle.

God promises in Isaiah 41:10 that He will always help and strengthen us, and in Isaiah 46:4 He declares that He will sustain us even to our old age and grey hairs. “I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” 

Not only does God promise to carry us through life’s storms, but He also promises to make something good out of these storms (Romans 8:28).

Psalm 126:6 reads: “Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.”

You can hold on to these promises and to the hope that God will never change what He has promised (Numbers 23:19). Romans 8:18 declares that “our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us”.

Have a blessed and miraculous 2017. Don’t forget that God is always with you and He is walking right beside you—you never have to face anything alone.