Writing On Eagles Wings

Scripture: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” – 1 Peter 2:2

Examination: Peter compares our faith to a building in which Jesus is the foundational cornerstone, and we are the construction materials upon which the rest of the structure is built. He details the responsibilities that believers have as the “lively stones” that are to be laid upon the foundation of the Saviour.

Application: As with any structure, the base must be strong enough to support the rest of the construction materials. With Jesus as the cornerstone of our faith, the early church apostles and leaders become the first level of our spiritual edifice. Ephesians 2:20 states that those who place their faith in Christ “…are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”. We must be like the wise man who built his house upon the rock (Matthew 7:24).

In construction, cement, sand, rock, and water are combined to create the concrete needed for a strong building. If one ingredient is missing or tainted, the concrete is not as effective as a building material.  Likewise, “… as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5), we must be composed of the right materials without contamination or we risk the destruction of our “spiritual house”.

The purest material that provides all we need to grow in our faith, and build our house, is found in God’s divine manual, the Bible. Romans 10:17 states, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” To help us understand the Scriptures, God has given us faithful men to preach His Word and Sunday school teachers to help us learn the basics of the Bible. This is similar to superintendents or foremen who help the workers correctly interpret and follow the plans as they build.

The more we understand what God is telling us in His Word, the more we will be able to construct a strong spiritual house and “… walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;” (Colossians 1:10). Let us make time this year to build our own spiritual monument of our growing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Memory Verse: “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2:6

Jesus is the cornerstone came for sinners to atone
Though rejected by His own, He became the cornerstone
Jesus is the cornerstone

'Til the breaking of the dawn, 'til all footsteps cease to roam
Ever let this truth be known, Jesus is the cornerstone
Jesus is the cornerstone!

(from “Cornerstone” by Lari Goss)

Scripture: “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13

Examination: Paul describes the characteristics of a love that can only come from God. He is explaining that while there are various gifts that God gives to believers, the greatest gift we can have, and share, is His love in us.

Application: The 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians is often called “The Love Chapter” of the Bible. Many of its verses explain “charity” as a love that only can come from God. This is sometimes referred to as “agape” love, and means a sacrificial, selfless, divine love as seen in the Lord Jesus Christ. Here are the characteristics of the charity (love) of God.

• “Charity suffereth long…” (v4)
  • “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9
• “… is kind…” (v4)
  • “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.” – Jeremiah 31:3
• “Charity envieth not;” (v4)
  • “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” – Romans 8:32
• “Charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,” (v4)
  • “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” – Philippians 2:8
• “Doth not behave itself unseemly…” (v5)
  • “The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” – Psalm 145:17
• “… seeketh not her own…” (v5)
  • “For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.” – Romans 15:3
• “… is not easily provoked…” (v5)
  • “The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.” – Psalm 145:8
• “… thinketh no evil;” (v5)
  • “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” – Jeremiah 29:11
• “Rejoiceth not in iniquity…” (v6)
  • “For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.” – Psalm 5:4
• “…but rejoiceth in the truth;” (v6)
  • “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” – John 14:6
• “Beareth all things…” (v7)
  • “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
• “…believeth all things…” (v7)
  • “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10
• “…hopeth all things…” (v7)
  • “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” – Romans 15:13
• “…endureth all things.” (v7)
  • “I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.” – Ecclesiastes 3:14
• “Charity never faileth…” (v8)
  • “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” – Luke1:37

Stop for just a moment and consider this. When God says He loves us with an everlasting love, this list is what it encompasses. This is the “agape” love that He has for you and for me.

Memory Verse: “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” – John 15:12

Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong; they are weak, but he is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.

(from “Jesus Loves Me” by Anna Bartlett Warner)

Scripture: “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.”– Jeremiah 31:3

Examination: Jeremiah sends a message to the broken nation of Israel that offers the hope of future restoration through God’s intervention. He tells them of a new covenant that God will establish, and that His love for them has not ceased.

Application: Years ago, my husband and I attended a program at my church about love and marriage. The most important takeaway for me was that love is not a feeling. It is a decision. In fact, it is a daily conscious decision to remain committed to someone, supporting them and caring for them no matter what happens. Frankly, there are times when I am not very lovable, but I am so glad my husband made the decision to love me “for better or worse”.

God’s decision to love us is also a forever decision. All through the Scriptures, we can find the evidence of God’s eternal love for His children. Even when Israel rebelled against Him time and time again, His love remained steadfast. Jeremiah 31:37 records God’s regard for Israel, “Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.” His love for His chosen people will never cease despite their sin.

It is the same for us today. Even before we were conceived, God knew each of us individually. “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee…” (Jeremiah 1:5). David rejoiced in this when he wrote, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” (Psalm 139:14). We are each unique creations of the Lord, and He loves each person that He brings into this world even knowing that many will not reciprocate that love. However, because of His great love, He made the way for us to be reconciled to Him forever if we so choose through the sacrifice of His Son. In fact, God loves us so much that when we accept Jesus as our personal Lord and Saviour, He abides in us!! 1 John 4:12 states, “No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.” We are deeply cherished by God. “Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee:” (Isaiah 43:4).

Jonathan Edwards wrote a well-known sermon entitled, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”. He spoke of the judgment that an unrepentant sinner would one day face. As one of those sinners, it is such a blessed reality to know that God loves me so much, He made a way for me to be forgiven of my sins and reconciled to Him forever. The new message for those who have accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour becomes, “Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God” for we are no longer enemies of God nor are our sins to be held against us. 1 Thessalonians 6:9 promises, there will be no future judgment for those saved by His grace. “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,”.

One last truth that verifies God’s eternal love for me is found in Romans 8:38-39. “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” There is nothing that will ever separate me from God’s eternal love!

Giving one’s heart to Christ is so easy. It requires nothing but the decision to do so, and it is not hard to make the decision to love Him when you know He already loves you and will continue to do so for all eternity!

Memory Verse: “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace…” – 2 Thessalonians 2:16

I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me– now safe am I.

Love lifted me, love lifted me,
When nothing else could help, love lifted me;
Love lifted me, love lifted me,
When nothing else could help, love lifted me.

(from “Love Lifted Me” by James Rowe)

Scripture: “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;” – 1 Corinthians 15:3

Examination: Paul explains the gospel and the validity of it. He explains the reason for the hope that we have in Christ. This chapter of the Bible has often been called “the gospel in a nutshell”.

Application: When I taught creative writing to my students, we often used a plot diagram. This method had 5 steps: the setting, rising action, climax, falling action, and conclusion. Using this format, students could write a story that flowed and led to a complete narration. The Bible also has a glorious narrative woven throughout its pages. Here’s the synopsis of the most beautiful story ever told… the story of God’s love.

The Setting – This is where the majority of the story is set. The setting to God’s love story is stated in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Brought into existence by Him, the world is perfect in every aspect… from the majestic mountains and vast seas to the stunning plants and flowers. From the incredible creatures that roam the planet to the culminating masterpiece of His creation… man and woman. Genesis 1:31 records God’s thoughts regarding His completed creation. “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” God’s love story is primarily set in the land we know as Israel, beginning in a beautiful location called the Garden of Eden. Biblical scholars, both Christian and Jewish, place the Garden of Eden in the same location as the city of Jerusalem.

The Rising Action – These are the events that expose the major problem or conflict of the story. In God’s love story, Satan lays a trap for Adam and Eve, and sin is introduced to the beautiful world that the Lord created. Because of sin, the relationship between God and His creation is severed. No longer will the Lord commune personally with mankind. Sin has created a barrier between the Creator and His creation. God is grieved, yet promises future restoration in a Saviour. Genesis 3:15 is the first promise. “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”

For the next 4,000 years of the story, sin runs rampant in the world, and the people repeatedly rebel against God. Romans 5:12 states, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” Nations rise and fall. Kings come and go. Lessons are learned, while others are ignored. Judgments from God, such as the great flood and the Babylonian captivity, are pronounced and then carried out as Romans 1:18 explains, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”, Sadly, His people stubbornly continue to sin. This part of God’s love story reveals the problem as sin and its devastating consequences. However, throughout this part of the story, there is a remnant who remember God’s promises and cling to the hope of His salvation.

Climax – This section of a story is the resolution to the problem as well as the immediate events surrounding it. In God’s love story, the resolution is found in the coming of the promised Saviour, Jesus Christ, God’s beloved Son. The fulfilled prophecy of the coming Messiah is the remedy for a sin-sick world, yet Israel refuses to recognize Him as such. John 1:10-11 speaks to this, “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” Jesus ministers in the land for 3 years, but the people reject Him. Only a few followers accept Him for who He says He is, the One foretold by the prophets, and accept Him as the Messiah promised in Genesis. At the culmination of His ministry, Jesus is crucified as prophesied to pay for the sins of the world. He rises from the grave three days later proving His claims are true, and He is the Saviour of the world. John writes, “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” (1 John 4:14). The climax of God’s love story is the gospel… the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus!

Falling Action – These are the events that follow the solution to the problem. 40 days after His resurrection, Jesus ascends to heaven. Before departing, He gives His followers their last assignments. Matthew 28:19 records His words, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” His last recorded words just prior to His ascension are found in Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” This “great commission” has continued from then to now through churches, missionary work, and individuals sharing the gospel with family, friends, co-workers and even social media platforms.

There are a few more events in this section that are yet to come before this story ends. The next event will be the rapture of the Church, the time when all who have accepted Christ as Saviour will be “caught up” to be with Jesus forever. Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, “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.” Following the rapture, there will be a period of great tribulation for the world as it faces the judgment of God for their rejection of His Son. Matthew 24:21 states, “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” After this 7-year period, Jesus will return to the earth to physically rule and reign from Jerusalem for 1,000 years, and then the final destruction comes for Satan and his evil angels.  We are currently living in this part of God’s love story just prior to the rapture of Jesus’ true church.

Conclusion – This part of the story brings everything together to its logical ending. God’s conclusive ending is two-fold. For Satan, the antagonist in the Lord’s love story, he and those who have chosen to align themselves with the devil by denying God and His Son, will be banished from the presence of God to an eternity of darkness and suffering. The second ending of the divine story is reserved for all who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus shed on the cross; those who have accepted Him as their Lord and Saviour. All who belong to Christ will live with Him in heaven forever. It will be a time where sin is no longer present, and there will be no sadness or tears. We will dwell in peace and joy in the presence of God eternally. John 3:16 affirms this, “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.” This is the glorious ending… or perhaps, it should be relabeled as the glorious “unending” of God’s beautiful love story!

Memory Verse: “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” – Psalm 107:20

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story because I know it's true.
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.

I love to tell the story! 'Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.

(from “I Love to Tell the Story” by Kate Hankey & William G. Fischer)

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

Examination: Zephaniah writes about the judgment to come on the nations that have rejected God, including those in Jerusalem who have chosen to do the same. The latter portion of the chapter speaks to the restoration of a remnant in Israel who have remained humble and meek, and still trusting in God.

Application: When my children were young, they often would wake up before me and come bouncing on to my bed in the morning to rouse me from my sleep with their hugs and kisses. As much as I wanted to continue dozing, I cherished those mornings when my little human alarm clocks came to wake me, and I would grab them both and cuddle with them a bit before rising. Now as a grandmother, my granddaughters often trot downstairs to say goodnight and drop a little kiss on my cheek with a quick “love you” before they retire for the evening. These special moments of love generate sweet memories in my heart that will last a lifetime.

God’s love is also shared with us every day, creating moments of joy when we realize how much He cares for us! In response, we “love on Him” through prayer, songs, service, and time!

Mornings with God

Starting my day with the Lord sets the tone for the rest of day. Psalm 5:3 shares how David, the man after God’s own heart, began his day. “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.”  Morning time with God is a two-way road for love to travel. My heart speaks to God through prayer, and His speaks to me through His Word. When I pray for guidance or wisdom, I must be sure to “listen” to His response through His Word. Psalm 143:8 states, “Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.” What a great way to start my day!

Midday with God

Imagine if your spouse or child only spoke to you once a day! It certainly wouldn’t seem like there was much love there. God shares His love with us continually and desires us to share our love with Him throughout the day as well. Psalm 55:17 records David’s frequency of prayer, knowing God desires to hear from him, “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” When people love and care about each other, they make time to be together, even if they have busy lives. I am often busy during the day, but I am never alone as I do my errands or chores for God is with me. Deuteronomy 33:12 records how God stayed with His people, “… The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; and the LORD shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.” God loves me, spending time with me “all the day long”!

Evenings with God

After things have calmed down in the evening, my husband and I like to share our day’s activities and read a devotion before going to sleep. Those times together are so special, and they serve to fortify our united love. It is the same for the love we share with the Lord. Ending our day with God is a time to reflect on what He’s done for us through the day and thank Him for His care and blessings. Psalm 92:1-2 states, “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,”. Remembering how much God loves me, and how much I love Him is a wonderful way to end my day!

Memory Verse: “Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.” – Psalm 42:8

Day by day, and with each passing moment, strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment, I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure, gives unto each day what He deems best,
Lovingly it's part of pain and pleasure, mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day the Lord Himself is near me, with a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me, He whose name is Counsellor and Pow’r.
The protection of His child and treasure is a charge that on Himself He laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,” this the pledge to me He made.

(from “Day by Day” by Lina Sandell)

Scripture: “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” – 1 John 4:16

Examination: John writes about God’s character in this chapter. He starts by telling the believers to use discernment regarding those who teach about the Lord. He cautions the Christians that there are many false teachers, so they must be diligent. Additionally, John writes that it is God’s indwelling Spirit in one’s life that allows believers to show love to others because the love is from the Lord. We will naturally radiate God’s love when we belong to Him.

Application: Today is National Polar Bear day. These huge bears live in the Arctic and spend a great deal of time in the water. Their thick white fur is water repellent and covers black skin that helps absorb and retain heat. I was very surprised to learn the actual color of the polar bear’s skin as I had believed it to be a pinkish-white color!

This reminded me of sin. It rarely looks as destructive and deadly as it really is. James 1:14-15 explains, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed, then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” Satan uses every trick possible to lure us into sin, but it is always deceptively presented. Why? Because if the temptation to sin is disguised, we stumbled more easily into the entrapment of sin, and that can destroy our relationship with God. 1 Peter 5:8 compares Satan to a dangerous predator. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

Choosing sin creates a barrier between us and God. Isaiah 59:2 warns, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Satan never reveals the consequences when he tempts us to sin. His lies cause us to rationalize and choose the disguised evil, thus alienating us from our Lord.

On the other hand, God’s love for us is completely transparent. He doesn’t hide who He is or what it means to follow Him. 2 Timothy 3:12 states, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” However, Jesus has also promised us a victorious life on earth and a glorious eternal life with Him in heaven when we choose to follow Him. John 16:33 records Jesus’ words, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

In James 1:12, we are assured, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” Following Christ is not an easy carefree life; we will have challenges and struggles, but with His power, we can have victory. 1 Corinthians 10:13 promises, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

When Jesus faced struggles in His earthly life, He prayed. When He was tempted by Satan, He quoted Scripture each time. When we do as Jesus did, we can be assured that God will hear us and deliver us from evil… every time.

After all, His love is an open book… and that book is the Bible.

Memory Verse: “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;” – Titus 1:2

Our God is truth, most faithful is His Word;
Beyond thy strength He’ll suffer no temptation;
In all thy need He’ll aid to thee afford;
A Father’s love may be thy consolation;
O hear His voice in such kind accents cheer!
Why shouldst thou fear?

Then hope in God, on Him cast all thy care,
Thy Father ne’er will leave His child in danger;
He knows thy case, O why shouldst thou despair?
To all thy grief thy Savior is no stranger;
He hears thy sigh; to Him tell thy complaint;
Why shouldst thou faint?

(from “Our God is Truth, Most Faithful is His Word” by Johann Daniel Herrnschmidt)

Scripture: “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him…” – 2 Chronicles 16:9

Examination: In this chapter, Asa, the king of Judah, is being attacked by the king of Israel. Instead of seeking help from the Lord to fight his enemies, he goes to the king of Syria. Asa is then warned by a seer that God is displeased with his reliance upon man instead of the Lord. The seer reminds Asa of previous victories when he depended upon God, but Asa imprisons the seer. Asa is then stricken with a serious illness, but he still refuses to seek God’s help.

Application: When my kids were becoming more independent as teenagers, I insisted on keeping in touch with them via pagers (pre-cell phone days). I did this because they were my children, and I loved them. Knowing their whereabouts would allow me to get to them at a moment’s notice if needed, plus it gave me peace of mind since teens sometimes are a wee bit forgetful when it comes to checking in!

While I needed some technical help in keeping track of my children, God needs no assistance in keeping track of us. He saw everything that Asa did; nothing was hidden from Him. It is the same in our lives; God sees everything… where we go, what we say, what we do. There is nothing that happens in our lives of which God is unaware; He sees all and knows all. Psalm 139:2 records David’s words, “Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.”

God desires to be involved in every area of our lives because He loves us and cares about us. Each one of us was created by Him for a specific purpose. Ephesians 2:10 states, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” As a child of God, He promises that if we place our trust in Him, seek His guidance and will for our lives that He will definitely bring our plans to fruition. Jeremiah 29:11 affirms this. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

However, God doesn’t force Himself into our lives; He waits for an invitation from each of us. Once He gets that, He is involved as much as we let Him. In Proverbs 8:17, the Lord says, “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”

Furthermore, God doesn’t simply sit back on His throne and watch us; He is deeply involved in His children’s growth in faith and trust in Him. He is working in each life and will continue to do so. Philippians 1:6 reminds us of this. “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:”. Being loved by an involved God is the best kind of love ever!

Memory Verse: “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” – Psalm 37:5

In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet,
God leads His dear children along;
Where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet,
God leads His dear children along.

Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.

(from “God Leads Us Along” by G. A. Young)

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

Examination: In the first half of Romans 5, Paul is explaining the benefits of a relationship with God. In the latter half of the chapter, he compares the disobedient man (Adam) with the obedient man (Jesus), and goes on to explain that it is through Christ’s righteousness that one can have eternal life.

Application: Today is the birthday of George Washington, our nation’s first president. He loved the country that had come into existence on July 4, 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was officially adopted by the Continental Congress. Washington served as the Commander-in-chief of the Continental army, leading the colonial army to victory over the British forces. He endured long periods of hardship side-by-side with his soldiers, including near starvation and freezing conditions, and risked everything he had, including his life, to fight for our country’s independence. Washington proved his love for this country by his actions.

A true love is reflected in action. Today’s verse clearly shows God’s love in action. His love was manifest in the life of Jesus, His beloved Son, and culminated in the long walk up Calvary to the cross. We must remember that Jesus chose the path He walked. The Bible records Jesus’ words to His disciples when He was arrested in Gethsemane. “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53) Because Jesus loved the Father, He chose to do His Father’s will. Because Jesus loved us, He chose to die on the cross in our place. That is love in action.

Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, is the Saviour of the world. Our heavenly Father sent Him to redeem us back to Himself because of only one reason. 1 John 4:9 states, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” Without a doubt, God loves us.

He proved it at the cross.

Memory Verse: “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.” – John 3:16

I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene
And wonder how He could love me, a sinner condemned, unclean

Oh, how marvelous, how wonderful and my song will 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 Calvary and suffered and died alone

Oh, how marvelous, how wonderful and my song will ever be
How marvelous, how wonderful is my Savior's love for me

(from “I Stand Amazed” by Shane Barnard)

Scripture: “For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” – Psalm 100:5

Examination: This beautiful psalm of praise to God is only five verses long, but it is full of phrases of worship and adoration to the Lord! It ends with the joyous proclamation of God being so good and the eternality of His mercy and truth!

Application: My mom grew up in a small town in Japan. Only a small group of hills separated her town from the bustling city of Hiroshima. She was 17 years old on August 6, 1945, and vividly remembered a blinding flash of light, the intensely forceful blast of hot air, and the enormous mushroom cloud rising in the sky. The devastation was beyond belief; destruction was complete, but my mom and her family were among the survivors of the first atomic bombing the earth had known.

Today there is a lot of controversy about whether this was a good act or a bad one, but whether good or bad, it was a very horrific event. Chaos and uncertainty were everywhere; people at ground zero were simply vaporized, while others were slowly dying from the radiation and injuries incurred from the explosion. Friends and family members went missing, and tomorrow was not guaranteed.

Why would God allow something like this to happen? I cannot begin to know the mind of God, but I do know that He is good all the time, and all the time He is good. Psalm 52:1 says, “…the goodness of God endureth continually.” God never promises that everything that happens in the lives of His children will be good, but He does promise to make all things good. Romans 8:28 states, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Trusting God in the dark times is not easy, but He asks us to do just that. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5).

God’s ways are so much higher than my own; I am not privy to the reasons that God acts in the ways that He does. I am not the Creator, merely His creation, but He has given me His Word to help me understand what I need to understand when I need to understand it. Here are three very important reasons the Bible provides as to why God allows difficult times to cross our paths:

• To strengthen our faith – “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” – 1 Peter 1:7
• To give us hope – “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope:” – Romans 5:3-4
• To know the power of God – “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

There are many more reasons that God allows us to experience struggles in this life. When I pray and pray, but God doesn’t respond as I would like, I have to remember Nahum 1:7. “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” He is ever faithful, ever loving, and I definitely can trust Him for every outcome of every situation in my life.

By the way, my mom endured years of a chronic illness that her doctor felt was an aftereffect of radiation exposure. That was definitely a challenge for her, but there was good that came of it. 48 years after WWII ended, my mother met her best friend. In 1992, she put her faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour! A year later, she met Him face to face! Truly, the Lord is good and doeth good! (Psalm 119:68).

Memory Verse: “The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.” – Psalm 145:9

Life can be so good, life can be so hard
Never knowing what each day will bring to where you are
Sometimes I forget and sometimes I can't see
That whatever comes my way, You'll be with me

My life is in your hands, my heart is in your keeping
I'm never without hope, not when my future is with you
My life is in your hands and though I may not see clearly
I will lift my voice and sing 'cause your love does amazing things
Lord, I know, my life is in your hands

(from “My Life is In Your Hands” by Bill Montvilo and Kathy Troccoli)

Scripture: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,” – Titus 2:11

Examination: Titus, a disciple of Paul the apostle, ministered primarily on the island of Crete. In this letter from Paul, Titus is instructed to reject any false doctrine and to persevere in teaching the truth of the gospel.

Application: Grace is defined as the undeserved favor of God that is manifest through His love, forgiveness, and help in our lives. It is the grace of God that allows us to have a forever relationship with Him through the salvation that Jesus provides. Ephesians 2:8 states, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”. There is nothing that anyone can do to earn the salvation that God gives. It is simply offered to us, and we can accept it or reject it.

It has been wrongly believed that God demands certain acts from us to make us worthy of His salvation, but if that were the case, we would all be lost. There is nothing we can do to satisfy the demands of a holy and righteous God to merit His forgiveness of our sins. Isaiah 64:6 reminds us that in and of ourselves, our works are as filthy rags, but when we put our faith and trust in Christ, His grace works through us. James 2:18 explains the role of works, “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” Our works for the Lord come after salvation. They are the manifestation of our faith in Him.

Furthermore, it is the grace of God that enables us to serve Him. The Holy Spirit of God, which takes residence in us upon salvation, changes our hearts from desiring worldly treasures to setting our sights on the things of God. The Spirit empowers us to fulfill God’s will for our lives. 1 Corinthians 15:10 states, “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

God’s grace is the expression of His love given to us in order to have a relationship with Him now and forever. “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17. That is truly God’s amazing grace!

Memory Verse: “And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Timothy 1:14

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!

The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures;
He will my shield And portion be, As long as life endures.

When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise than when we'd first begun.

(from “Amazing Grace” by John Newton)