Constant and Steady

Greetings,

This past weekend was a roller coaster of emotions for me as I watched the two NFL playoff games.  One of the teams I was rooting for looked like they were about to win and then a blown call by the referee ultimately led to their loss.  I couldn’t believe it!   The other game was neck in neck toward the end and finally went into overtime; I was a nervous wreck.  But the team I was cheering on won, so then I was thrilled again.

Highs and lows are part of life, and even our walk with God has them. There are when my heart soars because I just know my petitions have been “accepted by the Lord” (Psalm 6:9), and then there are days when I feel like Job, “If only I knew where I could find God! I would go where He lives” (Job 23:3).

The good news is that no matter how we feel, God remains constant and steady in His love for us; He is not subject to wavering emotions.   “Even if we are unfaithful, He remains faithful” (2 Timothy 2:13). 

Every time you pray, keep this encouraging and powerful truth in mind: “Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” (Psalm 116:2)

No matter how much or how little faith you have at any given moment, no matter how connected or disconnected you feel to God, when you pray, He bends down to listen EVERY SINGLE TIME. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, what a beautiful and inspiring verse.  That You, the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth, would come to me and give Me Your undivided attention fills me with joy and hope.  Thank You for caring enough about me to listen.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

What Makes You Happy?

Romans 12:12 “Base your happiness on your hope in Christ. When trials come endure them patiently, steadfastly maintain the habit of prayer.”

Tuesday greetings~

What makes you happy?  I used to say that I was happiest when my chickies were in the nest.  My definition has broadened, however, because they both flew the coop.  What makes me happy now is when they visit, stay for dinner, turn off their electronic devices, make eye contact, and say stuff.

I am also happy when it’s me and Jorge and reruns of 1960s sitcoms to keep us company.  Plus, I am happy when I chat with a friend, have a cold glass of milk in front of me, am cuddling with a baby, or am holding the latest and greatest spy novel in my hands. Lately, petting my Hershey Pie is at the top of the list!

But what about when troubles come?  Can we be happy then?  Can we have joy when we do not feel well, or one of our kids is in trouble? When we are surrounded by problem after problem after problem?

The answer is yes.  It is possible to smile and laugh in the middle of all the madness, but only when we base our happiness on our hope in Christ.

If my happiness were based on my money, where would I be if I lost it all?

If my happiness were based on being young, I would have been in trouble a while back.

Let's face it: Babies grow up, relationships come and go, and perfect health does not last forever. 

But Jesus, well, He is a constant we can rely on! When we base our happiness on our hope in Christ, nothing - NOT ONE THING - can take it away.  We are all hoping for peace, health, perfect love, and the promise of Revelation 21:4 where "there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain."  And these are precisely the amazing blessings that will be ours soon enough. 

We still have to live this life to get to the eternal one, so God reminds us in the verses above that when things get tough, even unbearable, we can be happy by proactively making sure that our hope is in Christ; He is One who will turn everything we have hoped for into a reality.  In the meantime, maintaining the habit of prayer keeps our focus where it should be.

  

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for giving us so much hope.  No matter what is going on, help us to always keep our eyes on You and all the amazing blessings that are headed our way.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

What Makes You Happy?

Romans 12:12 “Base your happiness on your hope in Christ. When trials come endure them patiently, steadfastly maintain the habit of prayer.”

Thursday greetings~

What makes you happy?  I have always said that I am happiest when all the chickies are in the nest.  My definition has broadened, however, because my two chickies flew the coop.  What makes me happy now is when they visit, and stay for dinner and conversation – when they actually turn off their electronic devices, make eye contact, and say stuff.

I am also happy when it’s me and Jorge and reruns of 1960s sitcoms to keep us company.  Plus, I am happy when I chat with a friend, have a cold glass of milk in front of me, am cuddling with a baby, or am holding the latest and greatest spy novel in my hands.

But what about when troubles come?  Can we be happy then?  Can we have joy when we do not feel well, or one of our kids is in trouble? When we are surrounded by problem after problem after problem?

The answer is yes.  It is possible to smile and laugh in the middle of all the madness.  This happens when we base our happiness on our hope in Christ.

What exactly are we hoping for?  Peace, health, a 100% problem-free existence, perfect love, and a time where “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…(Revelation 21:4”

And these are precisely the things that Christ has done for us.  Yes, we still have to live this life to get to the eternal one.  But God reminds us in this verse that when things get tough, even unbearable, we can proactively be happy that because of Jesus, one day, every thing we have hoped for will become a reality.

There’s a reason God encourages us to base our happiness on the hope Christ offers: EVERYTHING ELSE IS TEMPORARY.

If my happiness were based on my money, where would I be if I lost it all?

If my happiness were based on being young, I would have been in trouble a while back.

Babies grow up, relationships come and go, and perfect health does not last forever. 

But Jesus, well, He is a constant we can rely on!

  

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for giving us so much hope.  No matter what is going on, help us to always keep our eyes on You and all the amazing blessings that are headed our way.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~