“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” John 16:7 Although He knew that it was not the news they wanted to hear, Jesus was assuring His disciples that it was necessary for Him to leave them for the great plan of salvation to be fulfilled. Jesus must fulfill His mission, shedding His blood to provide salvation. Only then, could the Holy Spirit apply this message to the world. Earlier…
“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;” John 14:16 For years I have used the same brand of laundry soap and was very happy with it. But recently it has been impossible to find it in the stores, so I have had to choose a different one. Companies close or discontinue manufacturing certain products. The same thing has happened with the facial tissues that I have used for years. This becomes frustrating for us as most of us want the brands we have always used. I am so thankful that despite all the changes that take place in our lives, there is one promise that stays the same, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 Chapters 14 to 16 of John’s Gospel record the last teaching session Jesus had with His disciples before His crucifixion. He had been trying to impress upon them that He would soon be leaving them and fulfilling His mission here on earth. No doubt their minds were filled with many questions, not fully grasping what He was trying to tell them. They wanted life to go on as…
“In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” 1 Samuel 1:10-11, NIV. Desperation and Faith Like Hannah’s moving prayer, my life began with desperation and faith. My mother received news from the doctor that her body had a condition that would prevent her from conceiving another child. Her heart was shattered into innumerable pieces as her dream of having another baby crumbled into the abyss of hopelessness. Something began to shift in my mom’s heart—she began to speak faith. The word of God is replete with abounding promises and miracles, so she decided to declare certain scriptures in prayer. She reminded God of His promises to women of faith, such as Sarah and Hannah. Envisioning Faith She would envision being pregnant by putting a pillow underneath her blouse while looking at herself in the mirror, pretending to be healed and with…
Last week was my birthday. One more year. One more candle. Only this year I turned the big 40! A new decade… I can hardly believe it. I use to cringe at the thought of growing one year older, but now, I realize that it is a gift. I know there are those who have walked into eternity who would have gladly accepted grey hair, wrinkles, sunspots, and whatever else comes with aging. Growing old is not a curse, it is a blessing. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have…
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10. The holiday season can be all things wonderful, but it can be all things stressful too. Stressing over every little detail and being unusually busy can send a shock wave through our existence. What do we do when stillness is lacking in our walk with God? If you are having a difficult time stilling your thoughts and worries, here are a few things that help me focus when I am overwhelmed. Consistency: Have a specific time everyday that you spend with the Lord. Your prayer life will flow into every facet of your day and will be beneficial to your overall spiritual wellbeing. Praise: When quiet moments with the Lord are difficult to achieve, try worshiping God and thanking Him for everything He has accomplished in your life. Envision The Lord: Close your eyes and imagine the Lord standing before you saying, “Come unto me all who are burdened and heavy hearted, I will give you rest.” Visualizing the Lord with you will bring so much peace during every season of your life. Journal: When I can’t seem to find the…
God created a wonderful world for us, but sometimes during our fast-paced, overworked lives, we struggle to look beyond the frustration and exhaustion of daily living. During this time of year, we add scurrying about, trying to get ready for the holidays. We must not overlook the true meaning behind our times of celebrating. Celebrations are a part of God’s plan. In the Old Testament, God instituted several festivals known as ceremonial laws. The Feast of Weeks (also known as the Feast of Pentecost) was a time to celebrate the wheat harvest (Leviticus 23:15-22). The Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths) was a time to celebrate the close of the grain, olive, and fruit season (Leviticus 23:33-44). It’s also called the Feast of Booths because men would build booths close to their crops in order to harvest them quickly before bad weather could destroy them. The Feast of Dedication (known as Hanukkah) was instituted to celebrate the Temple restoration and the dedication of its new altar. This celebration lasts eight days and is mentioned in John 10:22. Throughout the Bible, we find many references to celebrations. David danced before the Lord with singing and dancing. He also gave his people food…