Writing On Eagles Wings

Scripture: “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” – Galatians 6:14

Examination of Chapter: Paul is writing from Rome to the church in Galatia. He reminds the believers there that we should help others who struggle with sin in their Christian lives. He explains that loving restoration is needed, and brothers and sisters in Christ should reach out and help the struggling Christian through their season of difficulty. He goes on to state that relying on our works or religious traditions is futile; it is faith in the cross of Christ that counts in the lives of believers.

Application: On June 14, 1777, the American flag was adopted as our national banner. Thirteen white stars on a field of blue and thirteen stripes, seven red and six white, represented the original colonies, now the United States of America. The flag is our symbol of national pride and proudly flies to celebrate the liberty we have in our land. Throughout the years, our flag has changed only in the number of stars as new states were added to our country. Today, we pledge our allegiance to a nation of fifty states “under God with liberty and justice for all”.

I love my country and I love its flag, but I am only a temporary citizen of the USA. My eternal citizenship is not of this world, but in a place that shines with the glory of God! My forever home is in heaven with my Saviour; I am only traveling through this one. Philippians 3:20 states, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:” (In the Greek, the word “conversation” is translated from the original word meaning “citizenship”).

Similar to the United States with its symbol of patriotism, heaven has its own representation to which I pledge my loyalty. That symbol is the cross upon which Jesus died. While it is the most horrific method of execution imaginable, it has specific meanings to me that fill me with awe, peace, and great gratitude. Speaking of Christ, 1 Peter 2:24 states, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

1) First, the rough rugged splintered timbers, of which the cross is made, speaks to me of the intense agony and suffering my Saviour endured to purchase my salvation.  Isaiah 53:5 reminds me, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

2) Second, in order to construct a cross, a tree must die, and that represents the truth that Jesus died and went into the grave bearing the burden of the most wicked and despicable sins of all mankind, including mine. Isaiah 53:12 prophetically spoke of Jesus, “…because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

3) Thirdly, the cross now stands alone. Jesus’ body is no longer there, and although He was buried, death could not hold Him!  A lone cross and an empty tomb speak to the miracle of the Lord’s resurrection! Matthew 28:6 records the glorious truth spoken of by the angel, “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” Three days after the death of God’s beloved Son, my precious Jesus rose from the grave and proved to the world and all the powers of hell that He truly is the Son of God, the Saviour of the world, and He alone has the power to forgive the sins of anyone and everyone who places their faith and trust in Him!

The cross will forever be my true symbol of liberty. It was there that my sins were forgiven, and my soul became free from the bondage of sin! Galatians 5:1 states, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

At my house, we proudly fly the American flag to honor our country. To honor my Lord and Saviour, I wear a cross around my neck. Both remind me of the price paid for my liberties. One from the tyranny of earthly powers, and one from the powers of sin and death. Hallelujah for the cross!

Moments with God:

Dearest heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of salvation You provided for me. Thank You for the sacrifice of Your beloved Son, for it is by His precious blood, shed on the cross for the sins of all mankind, that my freedom is found. My loyalty, my allegiance is to You forever and always. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.

Scripture: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” – Philippians 4:6

Examination of Chapter: Paul is writing to the believers in the church at Philippi. In this section of his letter, he is encouraging them to stand fast in their faith in Christ. When worries come, he tells them to pray. When they have needs, present them to God, who will meet them all. Paul instructs them to focus on the positive, maintain a heart of thanksgiving for all things, and to be content in all things through Christ.

Application: I used to be quite a worrier. It didn’t matter if the problems were simple or complex, if they were out of my control, I worried about the outcomes. I really wanted to trust God, but in full transparency, I must confess, I had a really hard time doing that. At times, I still do.

When my worry is due to a lack of control on my part, I realize that I am definitely not trusting God. This doesn’t mean that worrying is necessarily sinful. Worry is a part of the human make-up. It sits alongside all the other emotions, and like those emotions, it can be controlled. When I allow worry to control me… to be the dominating factor governing my thoughts and actions, that is when it becomes a sin. The escalation of worry happens when I don’t trust the Lord for the things I experience in my life.

The Bible tells me I should not worry about anything, but instead I should give all those concerns to God. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us that instead of worrying, we should be “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” Easy to say; hard to do. But the important thing to remember is that “hard to do” doesn’t mean it’s impossible to do. So, how do I handle worry?

Before I can “cast all my cares” upon the Lord, I need to change my attitude. Worry stems from pride; it is the fruit of a heart that demands control. 1 Peter 5:7 is actually the latter part of the solution to the “worry” problem. 1 Peter 5:6 instructs us to “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:” As an experienced worrier, I know that I worry when a situation is completely out of my control. I don’t know how to fix it to attain the outcome I desire, so I worry about what is going to happen. How can I manipulate the situation to reach the conclusion I want? What steps can I take? What words can I say? Worry, worry, worry!

However, when I realize that it is God who controls ALL things, including whatever the circumstances are surrounding my problems, and HE controls the outcomes, it becomes easier to “cast my cares” to Him. The intensity of my worry dramatically lessens. My worries don’t magically disappear, but by giving them over to God, they no longer control my thoughts, words, and actions. Instead, they keep me on my knees and in His Word for His direction and His abiding peace. James 4:10 states, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” When worry beats me down, God lifts me up when I go to Him with a humble heart, knowing He can do all things, and He is in control of all things.

Worrying about things doesn’t mean I don’t trust God. It means I am still a work in progress in every area of my life, including my issues with worrying. Each time I worry, God uses the situation to teach me to depend upon Him more and more. God tells me in Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”. Instead of worrying about the things I cannot control, I focus my attention on what I can do to help the situation, and the number one thing I can do is pray. After all, my God can do anything! Remembering the greatness and goodness of God will enable me to “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” – Psalm 55:22

Moments with God:

Dearest heavenly Father, you are the One who gives perfect peace in the midst of troublesome times. Help me, O Lord, to keep my focus on You, remembering that there is nothing You cannot do, and that everything is within Your control. Help me to worry less and trust You more. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.

Stretching your thoughts:

1. When situations arise that are out of your control and worries escalate, what verse(s) could help you refocus on God and His strength for the outcome?

Scripture: “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18

Examination of Song: Joseph Scriven (1819–1886) was no stranger to tragedy. His first experience involved his fiancée who drowned the day before their wedding. , Several years later, when notified of his mother’s illness, he wrote her a poem in hopes of encouraging her spiritually. When she received it, she gave it to a friend who published it, and it became a popular hymn, but no one knew who wrote it.  Meanwhile, Joseph faced another blow. His second fiancée perished from pneumonia shortly before the marriage was to take place.  To deal with the sorrow, he immersed himself into the ministry, preaching and doing charity work. The authorship of “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” was made known when a friend of Joseph’s found the original manuscript. In regard to the hymn, Joseph stated, “The Lord and I did it between us.” Scriven died as a result from drowning when, delirious from an illness, he stumbled into a creek and died.

Application: Yesterday was National Best Friend Day. There are not a lot of people who can say they have had a best friend for nearly 60 years, but I can! I met Lorrie in the 7th grade, and we have been “besties” since then. Just the other day I was fondly reflecting upon some of our adventures in our younger days. We were quite a pair, and each memory is a treasure. Our crazy antics resulted in lots of fun and laughter as we navigated our teenage years. We always managed to look beyond the faults of one another and see the good. Our bond has remained strong throughout the years, and no matter what situations may arise, I know that Lorrie will always be there for me, and I always will be there for her. That’s just what best friends do!

As special as our relationship is, I have another best friend who has known me longer and loved me more than any other person in my life. That someone is Jesus. He knew me and loved me when I was just a thought in His mind. Jeremiah 1:5 records God’s words, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee;”, and in Jeremiah 31:3, God states, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” What is more amazing is that Jesus loved me when I was an enemy of His.

Colossians 1:21 clearly states that as a sinner, I was an enemy of God. “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled”, yet while I was a sinner, Jesus loved me enough to offer Himself as the atoning sacrifice for my sins. Romans 5:8 states, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The Bible states, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13), and that is exactly what Jesus did for me.

Jesus is the best friend a person could have, and I’m so glad He’s mine!

Memory Verse: “Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.” – Proverbs 27:9

Stretching your thoughts:

1. Think about someone you would consider to be your best friend. What qualities does he or she possess that endears him/her to you?

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer!

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge-- take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

(from “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” by Joseph Medlicott Scriven)

Scripture: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” – Isaiah 55:8

Explanation of Song: Dora Greenwell (1821-1882) was an English poet, who had much of her work published in the 1860s. Much of her work had religious themes, and eventually some of her poetry was set to music by William J. Kirkpatrick, including the hymn, “I Am Not Skilled to Understand”.

Application: When I was a junior in high school, I had a nasty car accident that necessitated missing a few weeks of school. When I returned, the class that I struggled with the most was trigonometry. No matter what I did, I couldn’t grasp the concepts, and sadly, the teacher told me, “You’re smart. You can figure this out.” Smart or not, I just couldn’t get it, and I ended up dropping the class. While I certainly was not a genius, I think that was the beginning of my journey to realizing that my intellectual capabilities definitely had their limitations.

Those limitations are also very apparent when I try to understand the Scriptures. Even with years of going to church, there is so much I don’t know about God. Fortunately, the key doctrines about sin, salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life are pretty easy to grasp, but other biblical teachings can be very difficult to  comprehend, and somewhere along the way, I’ve pressured myself to understand it all. What a foolish way of thinking! I have spent so many long hours trying to figure out so many things in the Bible until recently, God’s Spirit quietly whispered a truth that resulted in one of those “Ah ha!” moments.

It is impossible for a finite mind to understand one that is infinite.

Isaiah 55:9 records God’s words, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” I realize how futile it is for me to try and figure out God… how presumptuous of me to think my limited brain could even begin to comprehend the things of God without Him specifically illuminating my understanding. How prideful… the very sin that God hates found its way into my heart without me even realizing it! How gracious and merciful of Him to open my eyes, offer forgiveness and restoration, and pour peace in my heart. Isaiah 26:3 reminds me, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” I’ve discovered that it’s okay to ask “Why God?”, but it’s equally okay not to have to know the answers. True contentment doesn’t come from knowing it all; it comes from trusting the One who does know it all.

Memory Verse: “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” – Philippians 4:11

Stretching your thoughts:

1. What do you do when you cannot understand a particular section of the Scriptures?

I am not skilled to understand what God has willed, what God has planned;
I only know that at his right hand is One who is my Savior!

I take him at his word indeed: “Christ died for sinners,” this I read;
For in my heart I find a need of him to be my Savior!

That he should leave his place on high and come for sinful man to die,
You count it strange? So once did I, before I knew my Savior!

And oh, that he fulfilled may see the travail of his soul in me,
And with his work contented be, as I with my dear Savior!

Yes, living, dying, let me bring my strength, my solace from this spring;
That he who lives to be my King once died to be my Savior.

(from “I Am Not Skilled to Understand” by Dora Greenwell)

Scripture: “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” – Zephaniah 3:17

Explanation of Song: Although a priest and missionary, in May 1738, Charles Wesley (1707 – 1788) was unsure of his own salvation and agonized over his eternal state. After reading Martin Luther’s commentary on the book of Galatians, he finally understood the concept of justification by faith alone and finally found the assurance of salvation he so desperately sought. Two days later, Wesley wrote “And Can It Be?”, a hymn reflecting his amazement at his own conversion. In his lifetime, he wrote more than 4,500 hymns including “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,” “Christ the Lord Is Ris’n Today,” and “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”.

Application: We live in a culture that thrives on “entitlement”. This means that people believe they inherently deserve privileges or special treatment simply because they exist. Being entitled means that an individual doesn’t need to work for what they want; they believe they should be given anything they desire without needing to do anything for it. It is their faulty thinking that this is a God-given right. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

The Bible states in Romans 3:23 that we are all sinners. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” As sinful creatures, we deserve absolutely nothing from a holy and righteous God. In fact, Romans 6:23 explains that “The wages of sin is death”. This means that all of humanity deserves an eternal death, that is, separation from God forever in a place of everlasting torment that He created specifically for Satan and the evil angels that aligned themselves with the devil. Jesus confirmed this in Matthew 25:41, “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” We are NOT entitled to salvation.

However, the good news is that God loves us more than we can imagine, and because of that love, He designed the one way to reconcile sinners to Himself. Romans 5:8 gives us the solution. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” He did this, not because we are entitled to salvation, but because of His inconceivable love for us. John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

The only way to spend forever in heaven with God is through faith in Jesus Christ, God’s beloved Son. Jesus died on the cross, becoming the sinless sacrifice for the wicked ways of all mankind. Through the shedding of His precious blood, He alone paid  the price for our redemption. Romans 5:10 states, “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” There is absolutely nothing we can do to earn the gift of eternal life, which Romans 6:23 clearly states, “…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

While Jesus offers the gift of forgiveness of sins to anyone who asks, we must remember that we are in no way entitled to it. The truth is that we are so undeserving and incapable of earning God’s forgiveness and favor, the simplicity of God’s mercy and grace becomes a stumbling block to many. But the Bible clearly states how to be saved in Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” That’s it. No charitable works required. No baptism required. No donations of money required. No recitation of “special” prayers required. Only the penitent heart that asks for the forgiveness that only Jesus offers can receive it.

We don’t deserve salvation. We cannot work for it; we cannot purchase it, and we most certainly are not entitled to it. We can only humbly place our faith and trust in a holy, merciful, loving Saviour who desires to forgive us and welcome us into the family of God for all eternity.

Memory Verse: “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” – 1 John 4:14

Stretching your thoughts:

1. Why is it so difficult to accept the free gift of salvation from Jesus when the philosophy of “entitlement” is so prevalent in our society?

And can it be that I should gain an int'rest in the Savior's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be that Thou, my God, should die for me?

Amazing love! how can it be that Thou, my God, should die for me!

He left His Father's throne above, so free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love, and bled for Adam's helpless race;
'Tis mercy all, immense and free; for, O my God, it found out me.

Amazing love! how can it be that Thou, my God, should die for me!

No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head, and clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th'eternal throne, and claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Amazing love! how can it be that Thou, my God, should die for me!

(from “And Can It Be?” by Charles Wesley)

Scripture: “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” – 1 Corinthians 15:52

Explanation of Song: Lelia N. Morris (1862–1929) was a writer of more than 1500 gospel songs. In 1914, she became blind, but her son built her a huge blackboard with which she could continue her writing. Many of her hymns, such as “Nearer, Still Nearer” and “Sweeter As the Years Go By” were written under her married name, Mrs. Charles H. Morris. In 1912, she wrote “What If It Were Today?”.

Application: When I was dating my husband, it was always exciting to know he was coming to pick me up for a special time together. I always wore my nicest clothes; my hair was done, and my make-up was applied carefully. I remember the anticipation of hearing that knock on the door! My sweetheart was coming!

After our marriage, whenever my in-laws were coming for a visit, I made sure my home was ready for their arrival. I loved having them come, and I wanted my house to be picture perfect! The guest bathroom was sparkling with freshly washed towels, and their bedroom had fresh flowers on the dresser. And when we had kids, I made sure they were ready for their grandparents’ visit as we eagerly watched through the front window waiting for their car to pull into our driveway

Special events are those occasions where people spend a great deal of time in preparation. Daily activities go by the wayside as the flurry of pre-arrival tasks take over, and everything is busy, busy, busy! Getting ready is almost as wonderful as the event itself!  

The Bible tells us that there is an exciting event that is just on the horizon for us! That event is often referred to as the “rapture” of the church. This is the moment when Jesus descends from heaven to gather those who have placed their faith and trust in Him and take them back to heaven with Him. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 states, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

While we don’t know the exact day or time, we do know that all biblical prophecies that have to be fulfilled before the rapture occurs have been completed. Thus, the rapture of the church could be any day, any moment. We need to be preparing for that glorious moment! We must be diligently doing the Lord’s work in sharing the gospel with others because the day is coming very soon when we will no longer have anymore time to tell people about the saving grace of Jesus. Let’s not leave anyone behind when our Saviour comes to take us to our eternal home!

Memory Verse: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” – John 14:3

Stretching your thoughts:

1. Imagine if you knew that Jesus was returning tomorrow. What would you do differently today?

Jesus is coming to earth again-- What if it were today?
Coming in power and love to reign-- What if it were today?
Coming to claim His chosen Bride, all the redeemed and purified,
Over this whole earth scattered wide-- What if it were today?

Glory, glory! Joy to my heart 'twill bring;
Glory, glory! When we shall crown Him King.
Glory, glory! Haste to prepare the way;
Glory, glory! Jesus will come someday.

Faithful and true would He find us here if He should come today?
Watching in gladness and not in fear, if He should come today?
Signs of His coming multiply, morning light breaks in eastern sky;
Watch, for the time is drawing nigh-- What if it were today?

Glory, glory! Joy to my heart 'twill bring;
Glory, glory! When we shall crown Him King.
Glory, glory! Haste to prepare the way;
Glory, glory! Jesus will come someday.

(from “What If It Were Today?” by Lelia N. Morris)

Scripture: “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:24

Explanation of Song: Charles Gabriel (1856-1932) grew up on a farm in Iowa. During his early years, he learned to appreciate music from his father, a traveling music teacher. While he worked the farm, Charles would often create melodies in his head, and then write words for them when the day was finished. When his father died, Charles carried on the work of his dad teaching music. He decided he wanted to write a famous song and went on to compose many hymns, including “His Eye is On the Sparrow”. He wrote “My Savior’s Love” to express his gratitude and awe toward the sacrificial love of Jesus for mankind.

Application: As a Christian, I understand the importance of serving God. I love serving Him, but I realized that somewhere deep within my mind, I believed that my service was somehow connected to what God would do for me. This way of thinking was, of course, exclusive of salvation. Romans 6:23 clearly states that salvation is a gift from the Lord. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Unfortunately, the belief that my works were in some way an impetus for God’s blessings became a subconscious thorn in my psyche. And honestly, nothing could be further from the truth.

Isaiah 64:6 clearly states, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” I may have good intentions, but they are not going to influence God’s actions toward me in any way. That’s tough pill to swallow… especially for someone like me who struggle with pride. But truth is truth, and in this case, it’s a wonderful truth!

What is absolutely wonderful about this realization is that I am the recipient of so much from God simply because He loves me. Here are a few examples.

1. “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

• This verse does not say “… for he careth for you when you share the gospel” or “…for he careth for you when you read your Bible every day”. God wants to help me through the struggles of life for one simple reason… He loves me! That’s it. No strings attached. No service required. As I struggled to grasp this, His Spirit quietly whispered into my mind, “What does your daughter have to do in order for you to love her and help her with the burdens she bares?” The answer is “Nothing”. I do what I can for her because I love her, not for what she can do for me. Well, that’s exactly how it is with God. He cares for me deeply because He loves me deeply. Jeremiah 31:3 states, “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”

2. “The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:14)

• When life’s struggles and challenges become overwhelming; when I am unable to do anything to help myself, God promises to fight those battles for me. What do I need to do? Nothing. He tells me to “hold my peace”, which indicates a couple of things. First, grasp the spiritual peace He freely offers and trust Him. Second, do nothing. Be still. In the verse preceding this one, Moses tells the Israelites, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD”. God’s promise to fight for us is not conditional. He told the Israelites to “hold your peace”. Just like then, God doesn’t say He’ll fight for us IF we do something for Him. He simply says He’ll fight our battles for us. Why? Because He loves us.

3. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)

• This is so simple, it’s hard to comprehend. Want wisdom? Just ask and God will give it. Period. No specific tasks need to be completed to demonstrate your worthiness of God’s gifts or blessings. Think about it… salvation – freely given (Ephesians 2:8); divine protection – freely given (Isaiah 43:2); God’s peace – freely given (John 14:27); physical needs – freely given (Philippians 4:19). Why? Because He loves us!

We serve a “giving” God. He wants to give us good things; He wants to bless us, and He wants to help us live righteously through Christ. The only thing He desires from us is a relationship with Him through His Son, and that is only a prayer away because Jesus has already done the work for our redemption. Titus 3:5 affirms this, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost”. Truly, no one has ever cared for us like Jesus.

Memory Verse: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – Romans 10:13

Stretching your thoughts:

1. Why is it so difficult to accept the blessings of God without feeling like we need to do something to earn them?

I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how he could love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean.
How marvelous! How wonderful! And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous! How wonderful is my Savior’s love for me.

He took my sins and my sorrows, He made them his very own;
He bore the burden to Calv’ry, and suffered, and died alone.
How marvelous! How wonderful! And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous! How wonderful is my Savior’s love for me.

(from “My Savior’s Love” by Charles H. Gabriel)

Scripture: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7

Explanation of Song: Frank Graeff (1860-1919) was a Methodist minister known for his happy countenance. He was often called the “Sunshine Minister”. Sadly, he faced a series of heartbreaks which threatened to destroy the joy of the Lord that he radiated to others. In his despair, he remembered the hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” and as he sang, 1 Peter 5:7 came to his mind. From that experience, he wrote “Does Jesus Care?” combining questions asking if God truly cares about us with the resounding answer “Oh, yes! He cares!”

Application: When you have a granddaughter who plans to be a vet, there is bound to be a plethora of animals in the household. Beyond the “normal” pets, we also have chickens and miniature ponies. One of my joys is to help her out by pet-watching when she goes on vacation. It’s pretty exciting when the ponies come up and nuzzle me, but when things go wrong, it can be very frightening.

That happened this past weekend. My granddaughter was about 1200 miles away visiting friends for a graduation, and I was babysitting the critters. When I ventured out Sunday morning before church to feed the horses, I found Halo, a sweet micro mini-horse, laying on his side. Now, I don’t know much about horses, but I know enough to know that this is NOT a good sign. I literally felt my heart rate race as I grabbed my phone to call my daughter and granddaughter. I felt so helpless and afraid for Halo because I had no idea what to do to help him!

To make this very long story short, two good “horse” friends came to administer some medication, and the vet was notified. I was tasked with keeping Halo up and moving, so we began our travels around the property. I wept as we walked, and then for a moment, when we paused on the front yard, I realized I had forgotten something very important. I looked down at Halo; he looked up at me, and I knew I needed to pray right then. I lowered my head to the top of his and prayed. Yes, I prayed with a pony. He stood quietly while I prayed, not even trying to grab a bite of grass, which he was strictly forbidden to have at this point. I then told Halo I was certain of one thing – God loved horses because they are the only animal in heaven that I know of that is mentioned in the Bible. As we continued to walk, I knew that no matter what happened, God was aware and in total control. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 states, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I was able to give thanks in this situation that Jesus walked with us as we resumed our medicinal walk; He was aware of all that was happening.

The outcome? I am happy to report that Halo is doing well. After oral medication and IV fluids, he finally perked up, ate, drank some water, and produced manure. We were out of the woods! 1 Peter 5:7 reminds me that nothing is too small to bring before the Lord. His Word tells me that I should always be “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”  Not some, but all because God cares about everything that we care about. Even a little pony.

Memory Verse:  “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” – Psalm 139:17

Stretching your thoughts:

1. What have you experienced that you felt was too trivial with which to trouble God, yet when you did pray, you found Him to be faithful to help and comfort you?

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained too deeply for mirth or song;
As the burdens press, and the cares distress, and the way grows weary and long?

O yes, He cares- I know He cares! His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.

Does Jesus care when my way is dark with a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades, does He care enough to be near?

O yes, He cares- I know He cares! His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.

(from “Does Jesus Care?”by Frank E. Graeff)

Scripture: “And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” – Luke 15:20

Explanation of Song: Ada Habershon (1861–1918) wrote they lyrics to “He Will Hold Me Fast” in 1906 after being approached by Australian musician, Robert Harkness, to write a song about Christ’s preserving power. He wrote to Habershon after a new convert shared that he feared his faith was too weak to live the Christian life. After receiving her lyrics, he composed the music during a revival service, and 4,000 people sang it the very same evening.

Application: In Luke 15, Jesus shares three parables about the restoration of a cherished item: sheep, coin, and child. In the latter part of the chapter, He speaks about the prodigal son, who chose to leave his father and join his lifestyle with that of the world. The story ends with the son returning home, ashamed, but met by a forgiving father who runs to the prodigal and wraps his arms around him, rejoicing at the return of his precious son… proclaiming, “He was lost, and is found” (Luke 15:24).

An embrace is a gesture of physical affection that happens when someone wraps their arms around another person and  holds them closely. There are many synonyms for the word “embrace” such as hug, cover, welcome, cuddle and enfold. An embrace can be given for emotional support, security, and romantic feelings, etc. They vary in the type and frequency and are practiced globally. In addition to the various types of embraces, the way they are given and to whom vary from culture to culture.

One of my favorite hugs is a bear hug! Every time my hubby pulls me into his embrace and give me a long hug, I cherish it! It is such a delightful show of affection, and I know his hugs are just for me. Other hugs can be one-armed, a pat-on-the-back hug, a gentle embrace, or a quick side-to-side squeeze. Regardless of the type, a hug conveys affection from one person to another.

Did you know that God embraces us? Throughout the Bible, there are so many verses that I consider to be “hugs from God”, and each one involves His hands or arms. Here are a few of my treasured hugs from my Lord.

1. God embraces those who trust in Him.

• “Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,” – Psalm 17:8.
• I recall seeing a picture of a mother hen with wings spread over her chicks protectively. In this verse, God’s embrace covers us, keeping us safe in His arms.

2. God embraces children.

• “And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.” – Mark 10:16
• Jesus loves children, and in this passage, His embrace encompasses holding them in His arms and blessing them. What a blessing to be the recipient of this hug!

3. God embraces believers.

• “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” – Isaiah 40:11
• With Jesus as our Good Shepherd, we are His lambs, and He embraces us as He carries us in His arms close to His heart.

4. God embraces the elderly.

• “And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” – Isaiah 46:4
• Being embraced by God isn’t age-dependent. Even as a “senior saint”, He promises to carry me, and in that carrying, I am embraced close to the heart of my Lord.

Throughout the Bible, we read of God reaching down to His children and embracing them. Some embraces are protective; some are comforting, and some are simply the demonstration of a Father’s love. Oh, how wonderful to be hugged by God!

Memory Verse:  “Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.” – Psalm 73:23

Stretching your thoughts:

1. When is a time when you knew without a doubt that God was holding you close to His heart?

When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast;
When the tempter would prevail, He can hold me fast!

Refrain:
He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast.

I could never keep my hold, He must hold me fast;
For my love is often cold, He must hold me fast. [Refrain]

I am precious in His sight, He will hold me fast;
Those He saves are His delight, He will hold me fast. [Refrain]

He'll not let my soul be lost, Christ will hold me fast;
Bought by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast. [Refrain]

(from “He Will Hold Me Fast”by Ada R. Habershon)

Scripture: “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms…” – Deuteronomy 33:27

Explanation of Song: Fanny Crosby (1820-1915) is perhaps one of the most well-known hymn writers of all time. However, her life was not without struggles. Many know that she was blind, but what is not as well-known is the fact that in her early years of marriage, she and her husband lost a baby shortly after the birth. She rarely spoke of this to anyone, keeping it to herself. In 1868, she was given a melody and asked if she could possibly compose a poem to go with it. After hearing it, she knew exactly what she would write. Within 30 minutes, she had written the lyrics to the comforting hymn in remembrance of her sweet baby who rested “safe in the arms of Jesus”.

Application: For years, I was a non-hugger, but then I discovered the joy of hugging in two wonderful ways. The first was when I fell in love with my husband. The strength of his arms around me made me feel safe and loved. Even after nearly 50 years of marriage, I still cherish each hug from him. The second was when my children were little. I lived for their little arms trying to wrap around me. The enormity of their love in those little hugs filled my heart with such joy.

Hugging others is such a boost for our emotional well-being, plus there are some great physical health benefits as well! Studies suggest that hugging promotes the release of oxytocin, the “love” hormone, whereby pain is reduced, sleep is improved, and overall happiness increases! Additionally, hugging reduces stress, boosts immunity, improves heart health, and lowers blood pressure!

What about our spiritual well-being? Getting hugs from God are great for that, too! Wait, what? Hugs from God? How does that work? The truth is we get hugs all the time from God, but because they’re in the realm of the spiritual world, we don’t always recognize them. Here are a few examples of some of the hugs Jesus gives us.

1. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

• This is one of the most important hugs ever! I didn’t earn this hug from God; He just gave it to me because He loves me.

2. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

• My burdens may be emotional, physical, mental… it doesn’t matter. God is ready to hug me, comfort me, and provide me sweet rest in Him.

3. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” – Isaiah 26:3

• When God hugs me, He whispers peace to my soul because I know I can trust Him to take care of anything and everything in my life.

4. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,” – Luke 4:18

• When my heart is broken, being held closely reassures me that I am not alone in my sorrow. I am being hugged by the One who deeply loves and cares for me, and that tells me, in time, all will be well.

These are just a few examples of godly hugs. It’s amazing how many hugs the Lord gives throughout the day! The Bible tells me, “His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me.” (Song of Solomon 8:3). Getting a hug from God can provide strength, hope, peace, love, joy… there is so much that we get from knowing that His arms are wrapped around us! So, when you need a hug from Jesus, just open His Word, and you’ll get one!

Memory Verse:  “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.” – Psalm 103:8

Stretching your thoughts:

1. What verse reminds you that God is hugging you and keeping you close to His heart?

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast,
There by His love o’ershaded, sweetly my soul shall rest.
Hark! ’tis the voice of angels, borne in a song to me,
Over the fields of glory, over the jasper sea.

Refrain:
Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast,
There by His love o’ershaded, sweetly my soul shall rest.

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe from corroding care,
Safe from the world’s temptations, sin cannot harm me there.
Free from the blight of sorrow, free from my doubts and fears;
Only a few more trials, only a few more tears! [Refrain]

Jesus, my heart’s dear refuge, Jesus has died for me;
Firm on the Rock of Ages, ever my trust shall be.
Here let me wait in patience, wait till the night is o’er;
Wait till I see the morning break on the golden shore. [Refrain]

(from “Safe in the Arms of Jesus”by Fanny Crosby)