Writing On Eagles Wings

Scripture: “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” – Revelation 21:5

Examination: Most Christians know that Revelation is the last book of the Bible and chronicles the events of the future tribulation and judgment upon the earth. In this second-to-last chapter of the Scriptures, we read about the glorious beginning of eternity-future, where Jesus declares Himself as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end! The new Jerusalem has been created and is for those who are found righteous in Him. This is a time when He wipes away every tear forever, and all things are made new!

Application: In Japan, there is an art form known as “kintsugi” where broken pottery is not tossed out, but rather repaired with powdered gold. The end product is considered a work of art and is often more valuable than the original piece. Once restored, it serves as a reminder that from brokenness can come beauty.

A kintsugi bowl is a beautiful example of mankind’s relationship with the Saviour. In our sin, we are “broken” when compared to the righteousness of our Creator. We are scarred by our sin nature, and thus, we are so unworthy of His love. But that’s not how God sees us.

The Bible tells us that in His eyes, we are precious. Psalm 139:17 states, “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” Instead of discarding us, God had a plan to redeem us, but instead of gold, He used the sinless blood of His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

When a sinner repents and accepts Christ as his or her personal Saviour, the marks of sin are covered by His blood that He willingly shed on the cross of Calvary. The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that God, in reference to His Son, “… hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” We are no longer an unsaved sinner on our way to an eternity in hell without the Lord, but we become the redeemed children of God with a promised forever in heaven.

Psalm 23:3 states, “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Because of Jesus’ great love for us, we can be restored to an eternal relationship with God! In a sense, His love has enabled us to become a “kintsugi” child of God! Wholly restored, beautiful to behold, and beloved in the eyes of our Father forever.

Memory Verse: “And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.” – Jeremiah 24:7

Restore in us, O God, the splendor of your love;
Renew your image in our hearts, and all our sins remove.
O Spirit, wake in us the wonder of your power;
From fruitless fear unfurl our lives like springtime bud and flower.

Bring us, O Christ, to share the fullness of your joy;
Baptize us in the risen life that death cannot destroy
Three-personed God, fulfill the promise of your grace,
That we, when all our searching end, may see you face to face.

(from “Restore in us, O God” by Carl P. Daw, Jr.)

Scripture: “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” – Jude 1:21

Examination: Jude is warning believers to be wary of those who have infiltrated their assembly to spread false doctrine. He cautions that the false teachers may not be easily recognized, so the Christians must be diligent to hold to what they know is the truth.

Application: After my mother-in-law passed, I had the responsibility of going through her belongings to determine what should be kept and what could be donated to a local charity. One item was a beautiful set of silverware, and I remember her polishing it on a few occasions. Upon examination, I discovered her collection was actually multiple sets of silverware mixed together. One group of utensils was sterling silver, which was of great value, and another was silver-plated and not worth much at all. The reason was that one set was made of a costly precious metal, while the other was an imitation and had only a thin coating of silver over other more common materials. It was hard to tell the difference, but since I knew what to look for, I could distinguish which set to keep and which to give away.

In today’s world, there are many different Christian denominations, and within those denominations, there are often many different subgroups. The differences often are based upon culture, history, and traditions that have been passed down through time. Ultimately, the source of one’s beliefs must be based upon the Scriptures alone.

Because there are so many distinct divisions within the religious realm, we must be diligent to know the Bible ourselves, not rely simply on the man, or in some cases, the woman, standing behind the pulpit. Acts 17:11 shares the example of the Bereans, who strove to authenticate what they heard preached. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Even when a Christian belongs to a church with a pastor who diligently searches the Word of God for his messages, it continues to be the responsibility of the hearer to read the Scriptures as well.

God loved us so much that He wanted us to know Him personally. To do that, He gave us His Word, the Bible. Within its pages is the love story between Creation and its Creator. Even when we sinned against Him, the Bible details the restorative plan God had to reconcile us to Himself. Additionally, the verses of Scripture provide teachings on how we ought to live, how we should worship and honor the Lord, how we can serve Him… there is so much within the Bible that God wants us to know. There is no way that sitting in a one-hour church service each week will provide us everything God desires for us to know about Him. We must be diligent to study and know the Bible ourselves. 2 Timothy 2:15 clearly defines our responsibility, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

If we do not make time to spend in God’s Word, we will be utterly defenseless when false doctrine invades our places of worship. We will rely on the interpretation of men instead of the illumination of the Holy Spirit, and fall prey to deception as the truth of God’s Word is slowly adulterated with the lies of Satan.

Be like the Bereans. They knew that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (2 Timothy 3:16). God’s Word is just like His love; it is undisputed, it’s been proven, and it endures forever!

Memory Verse: “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” – Isaiah 40:8

The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled, and pardoned from his sin.

O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure: the saints’ and angels’ song!

(from “The Love of God” by Frederick Leyman)

Scripture: “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” – John 15:11

Examination: Jesus is speaking to His disciples at His last Passover just prior to His crucifixion. He is giving His last words to them, urging them to remember who He is, and that if they continue to follow His teachings and example, they will be blessed by God. He reminds them of who they are in Him, and that when He is gone, He will send His Spirit to continue to give them strength, wisdom, peace and joy.

Application: In the dictionary, joy is defined as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune” and “a source or cause of delight”. The biblical definition of joy is “a deep-seated, spiritual contentment and abiding happiness.” True joy is rooted in a relationship with God; it is not circumstantial.

The joy of being loved by the Lord is manifested in two ways. We have an eternal joy that emanates from our salvation. Being forgiven of our sins and adopted into the family of God creates an everlasting joy. We know to whom we belong and where our eternal life will be, but there is so much more to the joy of being loved by God.  We have a “here and now” joy as well. Jesus didn’t come just to provide an eternal home for us with Him. He came to give us a life of abundant joy. In John 10:10, Jesus told his followers, : “… I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

What does a joyful life in Christ look like?

• Joy in the realities of life
  • The joy of the Lord doesn’t disappear when we face tough times and the outcomes are unknown to us. His joy offers encouragement, hope, and peace in good times as well as hard times. Psalm 30:5 promises, “… weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
  • Even in the most difficult times, we are kept in the hand of God, and He will see us through every struggle we face. How? By trusting in Him and remembering that God loves us and is faithful to His promises. Knowing those truths brings us His peace… the peace that passes all human understanding. Isaiah 36:3 states, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
• Joy in reaching out to others
  • There is so much joy in sharing with others our God-given gifts like teaching, hospitality, singing, etc. Galatians 5:13 states, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”
  • When Christians gather together, there is a joy that is almost indescribable. We share a common salvation through Jesus that will last forever, and we are all brothers and sisters in the family of God! Psalm 133:1 explains, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
• Joy in the relationship with Jesus
  • There is a deep contentment in being close to God. Knowing that He wants me to speak to Him through my prayers and teach me through His Word fills my heart with so much joy! After all, He is the God of all creation! The joy in knowing that He loves me so much fills my soul to overflowing! When I think that the Lord Jesus Christ knows my name and calls me His own, my soul rejoices! Psalm 16:11 affirms this, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

Today is a day to celebrate love, and there is no greater love than that which Jesus demonstrated long ago on an old rugged cross. His love is beyond measure; nothing can ever compare with it, and nothing will ever separate us from it. “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.” (Romans 8:38-39)

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Memory Verse:  “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13

I have found His grace is all complete, He supplieth ev'ry need;
While I sit and learn at Jesus' feet, I am free, yes, free indeed.
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, full of glory, full of glory;
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, oh, the half has never yet been told.

I have found the joy no tongue can tell, how its waves of glory roll!
It is like a great o'er flowing well, springing up within my soul.
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, full of glory, full of glory;
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, oh, the half has never yet been told.

(from “Joy Unspeakable” by Barney Elliott Warren)

Scripture: “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” – Romans 12:9

Examination: Paul describes how we should live as Christians. We are to be wholly dedicated to serving the Lord and other believers. He tells us that as children of God, the evil in this world will not overtake us, rather we will overcome the evil through living a godly lifestyle.  

Application: Black cats, broken mirrors, the number 13… these are all considered “bad luck” symbols, especially today. Friday the 13th has long been considered a day filled with frightening omens and superstitions. In truth, evil doesn’t confine itself to one day of the year, and it’s not as harmless as the world would have us think.

The evilness of this world has forced its way into every aspect of our lives. Television, music, books, even our schools boldly present demonic themes as acceptable and even desired. Every aspect of our culture… our language, dress, behaviors, etc., no longer speaks in whispers about things that once were considered to be unspeakable. Satanic influences are everywhere and embraced by a world that has no idea that the powers of hell are focused on the destruction of all that is holy.

While allowing a black cat to cross your path or opening an umbrella inside the house is nothing to be fearful of, the reality of evil in this world is a very present demonic truth. The Bible speaks of a spiritual war that is constantly being waged around us between the powers of hell and the angelic army of God. The heavenly host fight to protect us against the forces of hell that constantly seek to destroy the souls of men. Ephesians 6:12 states, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

In spite of the evil that surrounds, we need not fear. One of the most wonderful things about the Bible is it tells us the end of the story, and we know who wins. In truth, the victory was already won at the cross. Jesus’ holiness and sinlessness enabled Him to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. The wickedness and evil that is inerrant in all of us was paid for with his precious blood once and for all.  Then death and the grave could not hold him; Jesus rose victoriously to be the Saviour of the world.

Because of Jesus, we need not fear the evil in this world, but we also should not take it lightly nor should we embrace it. It needs to be exposed for what it is. Movies that glorify evil should not be viewed; video games that promote murder, anarchy, or insurrection should not be played; books that highlight demonic activity and create heroes and heroines that practice the dark arts should not be read. All of these things are part of Satan’s master plan to desensitize us to the evil and wickedness in this world. Choose movies, books, music, etc., that promote those values that God regards as good.

On this Friday the 13th, if you drop your mirror that shatters, don’t worry that you may suffer dire consequences. Instead, turn your eyes upon Jesus. His love has overcome evil; His love has overcome sin; His love has overcome Satan. Philippians 4:8 tells us the things that we should set our eyes upon. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Chaos, fear, uncertainty, and hopelessness are the results of a life of wickedness and sin. Allow the power of God’s Word and His love to envelop you, guide you, and fill you with His perfect peace and rest. In John 16:33, Jesus said, “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.” With His love, there is no need to fear anything in this world… ever.

Memory Verse:  “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” – 1 John 4:18

Be strong in the Lord, and be of good courage;
Your mighty Defender is always the same.
Mount up with wings, as the eagle ascending;
Victory is sure when you call on his name.

Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord,
And be of good courage for he is your guide.
Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord,
And rejoice for the victory is yours.

(from “Be Strong in the Lord” by Linda Lee Johnson)

Scripture:  “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:” – Philippians 2:9

Examination: In the second chapter of Philippians, Paul describes the character of the Lord Jesus Christ. He explains that we should live with the same humility that Jesus lived. We should have the heart of a servant, bringing glory and honor to God with our lives.

Application: Lately in my church, we’ve had several ladies who are expecting babies. It’s a wonderful time of celebration, and the baby showers are beginning! When my husband and I were expecting our children, one of the most exciting responsibilities we had was choosing a name for each of our two babies. I remember buying a baby book that had hundreds of names and their meanings listed. There were so many of them! Finally, we chose each child’s name, and it was perfect for each one.

Finding a good name is as important today as it was in times gone by. I remember that many of my older relatives were named after other family members, especially the firstborn son. He was often named after the father. That’s how it was in biblical times as well. In Luke 1:59, the expectation was that Zacharias would name his son after himself. “And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.” Instead, the baby was named “John” as directed by an angel of the Lord (Luke 1:13).

When the time came for Jesus to be born, like John, His name had been given to his earthly father by an angel in a dream. “Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.” (Matthew 1:24-25).

There are many other names by which Jesus is known in the Scriptures. Here are a few of them.

• Redeemer – “As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.” – Isaiah 47:4
• Emmanuel – “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” – Matthew 1:23
• Saviour – “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:11
• Son of God – “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” – 1 John 4:15
• Lamb of God – “And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!” – John 1:36
• Lord – “And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” – Philippians 2:11

Isaiah 9:6 gives us a beautiful summary of several other names for our Lord. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Jesus is the embodiment of God’s love. He came to us to die for us and redeem us unto Himself. Matthew 1:21 affirms this, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

Jesus… Saviour… Son of God… What a beautiful name… the name of love!

Memory Verse: “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;” – Philippians 2:10

There have been names that I have loved to hear,
But never has there been a name so dear
To this heart of mine, as the name divine,
The precious, precious name of Jesus.

Jesus is the sweetest name I know,
And He’s just the same as His lovely name,
And that’s the reason why I love Him so;
Oh, Jesus is the sweetest name I know.

 (from “Jesus is the Sweetest Name I Know” by Lela B. Long)

Scripture:  “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

Examination: Jesus is preparing His disciples for the time when He will no longer be with them. In their distress, He reminds them of who He is and the reason He will be leaving them. He goes on to assure them that He will send His Holy Spirit to help and comfort them, and in this, they will have His peace.

Application: I love road trips! Ever since I married my husband, road trips have been a part of our lives even after our children were born! It’s highly possible they’d been across the country on a road trip before they could walk! Back in those days, we navigated with a paper map (my job), and took many side trips to discover some pretty unique sites in our country.

These days, paper maps have become obsolete with the advancement of technology and the invention of GPS. However, even with the change of methodology, road trips continue for us, and we usually reach our intended destinations without much trouble. Unfortunately, there have been times when we’ve taken a wrong turn from either an unlabeled map or a GPS that hasn’t been updated. When that happens, we end up in a place where we didn’t want to be.

That’s a lot like another trip on which we’re all traveling. It’s a spiritual road trip, and where we end up depends on whether or not we pay careful attention to and follow the directions we have been given. The destination is heaven and, as you’ve probably guessed, the map or GPS is the Bible. There’s only one way to get there, and the directions are very simple to follow. Here are the Scriptural signposts that mark the way.

Signpost #1

• “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” – Romans 3:23
  • The realization that we are all sinners and can never measure up to God’s holiness on our own is the first stop.

Signpost #2

• “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23
  • We must understand that our sin results in eternal separation from God, but the Lord Himself provides the way to everlasting life with Him.

Signpost #3

• “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
  • God’s love for mankind is so great that He sacrificed His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, so that humanity would have the opportunity to have their sins forgiven and be reconciled to Himself.

Signpost #4

• “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” – Romans 10:9
  • Realizing that as sinners, we need a Saviour is critical to our salvation. By placing our faith and trust in Christ… His death, burial, and resurrection… saves us. We cannot pay the sin-debt we owe; we cannot be good enough for it; we cannot work for it. The only way to reconcile ourselves to God the Father is through God the Son, Jesus.

Signpost #5

• “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – Romans 10:13
  • Salvation is as easy as A-B-C:
    • Acknowledge that you are a sinner.
    • Believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for your sins, was buried, and then rose from the dead 3 days later as the Saviour of the world.
    • Call upon the Lord to be forgiven of and saved from your sins.

Signpost #6

• Congratulations! You have now been adopted into God’s family, and one day you will reach your final destination. Jesus is currently preparing a place just for you in His heaven, and soon He will come again and take you to be with Him forever! “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 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 14:2-3).

When you ask GPS how to get to a specific place, it often gives several options from which you can choose your route. Be careful on your spiritual journey. Despite what the world may tell you, there is only one way to heaven. The Bible clearly states that Jesus is the only way. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). Don’t get lost on a detour! Choose your route wisely!

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've found a friend who is all to me,
His love is ever true;
I love to tell how He lifted me,
And what His grace can do for you.

Saved by His pow'r, by His pow'r divine,
Saved to new life, to new life sublime!
Life now is sweet and my joy is complete,
For I'm saved, saved, saved.

 (from “Saved, Saved” by Jack P. Scholfield)

Scripture:  “Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.” – Isaiah 43:4

Examination: In this chapter, the Lord is speaking to those held in captivity in Israel, and He reminds them that He will be the One to save them from the Babylonian exile. He speaks of His love for them even when they have rebelled, and assures them that He will restore them to the land of Israel.

Application: One of the frequent natural disasters in the foothills of southern California, where I once lived, is wildfires. Most of the time, the fires were not near my home, but one year, there was a rapidly spreading fire that came dangerously close to my home. It was burning down the slopes of the hills across the street, and the firefighters told us to be ready to evacuate. I rushed to gather the things I believed were most important and packed them in our car. Some of the most precious things I packed were my photo albums. The pictures chronicled the life of my family and were priceless to me. I didn’t want to lose them.

There was one other thing I grabbed that was too precious to leave behind. That was my Bible. While I could have purchased another Bible in the event this one was burned in the fire, it wouldn’t have all the special verses highlighted and notated… verses that drew me to Jesus and led me to placing my faith in Him… verses that proclaimed the incredible love that God has for me… verses that gave me hope when all seemed lost… verses that helped me to grow in my faith as I learned more about my blessed Lord and Saviour.

The faith I have in Jesus is so precious! Peter affirmed this when he wrote, “Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:” All through the Scriptures, I find the love of God for me in its pages! Nothing compares to His love. Nothing means more to me than knowing that I belong to Jesus, and He belongs to me. The love He has for me will never fade, never grow cold, never be replaced. Here are a few of my favorite verses that affirm His love for me.

• “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
• “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” – Ephesians 2:4-5
• “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

Oh, what a precious love God has for you and me!

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

Through the love of God our Saviour, all will be well.
Free and changeless is his favour, all, all is well.
Precious is the blood that healed us, perfect is the grace that sealed us,
Strong the hand stretched forth to shield us, all must be well.

Though we pass through tribulation, all will be well.
Ours is such a full salvation, all, all is well.
Happy, still in God confiding, fruitful, if in Christ abiding,
Holy, through the Spirit’s guiding, all must be well.

We expect a bright tomorrow, all will be well.
Faith can sing through days of sorrow, 'All, all is well.'
On our Father’s love relying, Jesus every need supplying,
In our living, in our dying, all must be well.

 (from “Through the Love of God Our Saviour” by Mary Peters)

Scripture:  “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”- Psalm 46:1

Examination: This psalm is written to comfort and reassure us of who God is and what He can do. The author reminds us that despite all the hardships we encounter in life, God is with us through every one. We are reminded that God is truly our refuge, and He is faithful to deliver us from every trial and tribulation we face.

Application: On this date in 1971, I lived in southern California just north of Los Angeles. That morning in the pre-dawn hours, I was jolted awake by a severe earthquake that registered 6.6 on the Richter scale and lasted approximately 60 seconds. My bed felt as though it had turned to Jello and was being violently shaken by an unseen intruder. To this day, I can still hear myself screaming for my dad. Somehow, he made it to my bedroom and hurried my mom and me out of the house to the safety of our front yard.

As the sun rose, the damage in my neighborhood became apparent. Parts of homes had collapsed; stone walls had tumbled into pieces, and parked cars had been tossed against other cars or structures. We had no power, no water, no communication with the outside world (there were no cell phones back then!), and I was terrified!

Along with our neighbors, we “camped” out on the front lawn for several days as the massive aftershocks kept all of us from reentering our houses for fear of becoming injured or trapped inside. Later we found out how extensive the damage was, including the collapse of one hospital in which I frequently volunteered. With each passing hour, we learned more and more about the devastation from the earthquake. Despite my fears with each tremor, I was comforted by the presence of my father. I knew he would take care of me… and he did.

Tragedies in life happen to all of us at one time or another. A terminal diagnosis, the loss of a long-held job, a fatal accident, a random act of violence… there are so many devastating events that leave us frightened and uncertain of what the future holds. In order to get through these situations, some individuals resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as alcohol or drug use, social isolation, or even running away from God.

When terrible things happen in our lives, it doesn’t mean that God is angry with you or has forsaken you. We live in a sin-cursed world, and unfortunately, bad things still happen to good people. Ecclesiastes 9:2 confirms, “All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.” However, when challenges come into our lives, we can always run to our heavenly Father. Nahum 1:7 assures us, “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.”

As a Christian, I am not immune to adversity in life, but when it comes, I can go to the Lord knowing that He is with me. He is my Father; I am His child, and He will take care of me always. He hears me when I cry out to Him, and He promises to help me. Psalm 34:4 states, “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” He promised in Psalm 23:4 that He would walk with me through every valley that I face. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me...” Deuteronomy 31:8 records the promise, “And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.”

Jesus is my peace through every trial or tribulation, and I can trust Him completely regardless of the outcome because He promises in Romans 8 that in His time, He will make everything good according to His purpose. His promises come from His great love for us. He does not love us when it is convenient for Him; He loves us deeply and sacrificially always and forever. Because of that, we know we can cling to Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

Be sure the next time you are experiencing life’s most difficult situations, you run to your heavenly Father. He has promised to take care of you, and He will do exactly that.

Memory Verse: “The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.” – Psalm 9:9

Be still, my soul! the Lord is on your side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to your God to order and provide;
In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul! your best, your heav’nly friend
Thru' thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

 (from “Be Still My Soul” by Kathrina von Schlegel)

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

Examination: This chapter has three key issues to which Jesus speaks. The first centers on the ministry of John the Baptist. The second, Jesus warns of the punishment to come to those who have not accepted Him for who He is. Lastly, near the end of this chapter, He reminds His followers that what He is asking of them will be possible, and that they will find relief in coming to Him.

Application: When my son was a little boy, he would often come in after a full day of playing with his friends and cuddle up next to me. It didn’t matter if I was watching a television show, reading a book, or chatting with my husband, my son would wiggle as close as he could to me and lay his head on  my shoulder or lap. I would pull him a bit closer and hold onto him as he rested himself against me. I loved those moments of togetherness.

There are many times in my life when I need to snuggle closer to my Saviour. Sometimes the challenges and struggles I face are overwhelming, and I need to experience the nearness of God to me; I need the reassurance that He is with me and will help me through whatever is happening. James 4:8 explains how to become closer to God. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.”

How do I do this? To get close to anyone, it is imperative to spend time together! Share yourself, your hopes, your fears, your thoughts. When we open ourselves up… even becoming a bit vulnerable… it cultivates a stronger emotional bond and creates intimacy. To become closer to God, we must spend time with Him. This is done in two ways.

First, know who He is by getting into the Scriptures. This is His Word that He gave to us, so we could know Him. 2 Corinthians 4:6 states, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” Jesus is the Word of God as explained in John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” By reading the Bible, we learn of God’s identity and deep love for us from Genesis to Revelation.

Second, we must make time to talk with God. The Bible clearly shows how much God desires to hear from us. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 commands us, “Pray without ceasing.” Philippians 4:6-7 explains the rest that God will provide when we draw near to Him, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Resting in Him, being held in His embrace fills me with an unexplainable peace… the Bible calls it, “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). Resting in His unending love, I can breathe once more as my anxieties and troubles fade. I know the problems are still present, whether they be health issues, financial upsets, relationship concerns, or a myriad of other issues that come with life, but I know I can trust my Father to handle them all, and in that, I experience His perfect love and peace.

Memory Verse: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27

I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice, and it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith, and be closer drawn to Thee.

Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to Thy precious, bleeding side.

There are depths of love that I cannot know till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach till I rest in peace with Thee.

Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to Thy precious, bleeding side.

(from “Draw Me Nearer” by Fanny Crosby)

Scripture:  “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  – 1 Corinthians 15:57

Examination: The apostle Paul recounts the entire gospel in this chapter. He reiterates that it is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus that provides salvation for all mankind. He then encourages the believers in Corinth with the truth that we can live victorious lives through the Saviour, and the end result will be our own resurrection to an eternal life with the Lord.

Application: Last night, the 2026 Winter Olympics had its opening ceremonies. Athletes from around the world marched the parade of nations proudly waving their countries’ flags. All of the competitors are hoping to stand on the podium as an Olympic champion, representing their country by being the best in their sport.

In today’s reading, Paul is writing to the believers in the Greek city of Corinth. It is in this land that the Olympics began, and the Greeks could easily relate to the victory of physical competitions. Paul compares our Christian lives to a race and instructs us to run to win. 1 Corinthians 9:24 states, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”

In our race, our opponents are quite formidable. Ephesians 6:12 describes the competitors we face, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Our fight is a spiritual contest between Team God and Team Satan, and the ultimate prize is the souls of men.

While our calling is high, we are assured of the victory through the cross of Christ. His crucifixion and glorious resurrection triumphed over sin and death. Colossians 2:15 speaks of Christ, “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Through the Lord, we have the power to live the victorious life of which Paul writes, sharing the gospel of Christ to the world and leading others to the saving grace of our Saviour.

As followers of Christ, each of us can be assured that one future day, when we cross the finish line, we will be standing on the podium of faith and be able to say as Job did, “… I shall come forth as gold.” (23:10) Let us run to win!

Memory Verse: “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”  – Romans 8:37

I heard an old, old story how a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins and won the victory

O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him.
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.

(from “Victory in Jesus” by E.M. Bartlett)