Monday Devotional...12/31/12....Resolutions, Part 1

RESOLUTIONS

It is the beginning of a new calendar year and the debate continues: “to make New Year's resolutions or not to make them.” There are sound arguments for both sides of the controversy. Some would say that by making these promises we are only setting ourselves up for failure and possibly sending ourselves into a downward spiral. Changing negative habits isn't easy and personal willpower is a fickle friend. On the other hand, never attempting to improve one's character and behavior could lead to an unwanted setback in our earthly sojourn.

Perhaps there is a Godly balance or perspective to this dilema. The Lord has created our planet with predictable seasons and cycles. We can always look forward to winter, spring, summer, and fall. Each morning the sun rises, blessing us with a new day. Faithfully each evening the same sun sets, providing us with a period of sacred rest from our labors. We are born as infants, and then progress through childhood, adulthood, and finally old age. Psychologists have even mapped out the mental and emotional phases of development which correspond with the physical chronological stages of human progression.

It is evident that seasons, passages, and stages are a natural God given phenomenon in our world and personal lives. It appears too that we have an innate desire to improve our lives and conditions. It seems likely then, at the start of a new year that we would begin to think about our individual goals, dreams, and aspirations. The Bible declares that we are new creatures in Christ Jesus.

(2 Corinthians 5:17) The Word also tells us that “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6) Romans 12:2 advises us that we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, or changing the way we think. To find out God's thoughts it is important to read His love letter to us.

Therefore, perhaps instead of setting up hard and fast resolutions which may be difficult to keep, we might simply use this time of year to ask the Holy Spirit for direction. As we pray, praise and worship, and read God's word we can listen for those gentle promptings from the Lord. We can take baby steps and make small changes which will cause our daily lives to be more pleasing to our Saviour. Asking God for grace and strength to carry out those adaptations will enable us to succeed. Then we can give Jesus all the glory for the work He performs in us.

(To be completed tomorrow...1/1/13)

Written by Cathy Friberg
Shared by Corinne Mustafa

YEAR OF THE LORD'S FAVOR

Sunday devotional 12/30/12

We are at the end of yet another year. Many things have happened in our own lives, in the lives of our family and friends, and in the nation and the whole world. Some of those events may have been joyful and others difficult or tragic. I'm sure you can think of examples from this past year, some of which you may wish you could relive over and over, and others you may wish had never happened. 

God has promised to be with us through it all in the coming year, the good and the bad. He does not promise to take away all trials and tribulations, but he does promise to always give us the strength to make it through and even to provide a way out. God has promised to set us free.  The way through and out may not be easy, but it is simple - lean on and trust in God in all things. 

He [Jesus] went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read.  The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”  Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”  Luke 4:16-21 NIV

So even though we may face difficulties in the year to come, we can know that God is always with us - we have his favor! Now let's share that with others so they too can know his great love.

Thank you, Lord, for showing us your favor.  Help us to face our trials without fear, knowing that you are always there with us, helping us to make it through.  May our own fearlessness in times of trouble witness to others of your amazing love and mercy. Help us to bring others to you so that they, too, may be set free.  In Jesus' name, AMEN.

written by Jan Andersen

Saturday Devotional...12/29/12...Keep the Wonder Alive

                                                             ........the wonder of Christmas that is

Two days after Christmas I was in the car with my cousin. We had some errands to do, and a couple of them were time consuming and therefore frustrating. It was a dreary day with grey skies and intermittent rain. We were riding past stores and houses still decorated for Christmas. I was feeling a bit exhausted by the preparations, celebrating, and all the stuff we do that has no relation to the reason for the season. I said to my cousin, “I don’t know what it is, but do you notice that all the decorations look droopy and lack the luster that was evident in the days before Christmas?” She agreed. It seemed so true of post-Christmas perceptions and feelings.

Now I have to say that I had been fully aware of the premise that “Jesus is the reason for the season.” I think that this year more than any other year I placed my value into that, and tried to make my preps and celebration to reflect that thought. I even wore my pin with that inscription very often during the month of December.

Later on, as I mused over the conversation with my cousin, I had a different thought. If I am aware of the “Reason for the season” then I must not so quickly forget the warm and holy thoughts I had before and on Christmas about what the Baby’s birth meant, why He was born, and what He became. The whole thing happened so that the Man could make it possible for people to be given Salvation.

This is the important thing to remember. I do not want to get bogged down in life requirements that are difficult with a result of forgetting the wonder of the meaning of this story. I want to remain in the constant knowing of what was done for me by the Child whose birth we were celebrating. Two days is too short a time to end up jaded.

Heavenly Father, I come to you today with a prayer that I can remain in the spectacular wonder of what you did for us when you sent your son, Jesus, to earth to make it possible for me…for all Your children…to be able to live with you eternally. Thank you, Father. Amen.

Written by Corinne Mustafa

Friday Devotional...12/28/12...God Bless Mothers...

              ...the hand that rocks the cradle  is the hand that leads the world

My thoughts today are on a “Mothers Love”. I was reading in the book of Luke regarding Mary….the Mother of Jesus. I wondered how much Jesus kept in contact with his Mom when he was grown and doing his Fathers business…. Preaching, Teaching, Healing and all that Jesus did in the last three years of his life.

If Mary was not in direct contact with her son, she probably heard what miracles he was doing as the news traveled fast. I wonder just how much Mary did know or how much she may have understood through either a Mothers intuition or divine revelation. Either way, I know her love was probably with much concern, many tears and yet joy and wonderment of her son’s love for the people of Israel. Did she realize or have any idea that her son Jesus was the King of Kings, Lord of Lords and yet God in the Flesh?

Mary followed her son to the Cross of Calvary and wept at his feet as they crucified Jesus her son….”The Savior of the World” on that Old Rugged Cross. Oh what grueling and wrenching Mary’s life went through at that time in history? How helpless she must have felt, and what astonishment she heard when Jesus while in agony, yet uttered the words to tell his disciple to take care and watch for his Mother.

What power there is in a “Mothers Love”…. as it too heals the broken hearted, stands through the storms of life with her children, excites with tears at the triumphs of her own. Her heart still beats at the sound of their voice….no matter how old they may be. Still the touch of their hand, she holds in her possession as she perceives … “That is my child, flesh of my flesh.”

I believe that God put something special in a Mothers heart for her children. A Mother carries her child in her womb, as close to her heart as anything or anyone could ever get. That child represents her. The blood flow in her womb gives life to her unborn.

Oh, a Mothers Love!

Written by Glenna Williamson

Thursday Devotional...The Brightness of Him

It is two days after Christmas. Are you still enjoying the warm glow of celebration and family love? Or are thoughts of what tomorrow will bring filling your head? I find my mind wants to worry about tomorrow. It wants to be busy thinking, “If this happens, then what will I do?” My mind argues that I am being a good planner by anticipating all possibilities. So I have to work very hard and frequently tell my mind to “STOP IT!

When I think I am being “realistic” by looking ahead in this way, I have noticed that my answers, my plans, are usually about what I will do, not about what God will do. When I listen and make myself start thinking about all the things that God has done for me, I am reminded of how faithful He is to the poorest and to the richest of us. The brightness of Christmas may feel like it was weeks ago, but the brightness of hope in a God who is faithful and caring is the very truth available for all of us to hold on to each day.

Proverbs 3:3a, 5-7 (NLV)

Do not let kindness and truth leave you.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not trust in your own understanding.

Agree with Him in all your ways,

and He will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes.

Fear the Lord and turn away from what is sinful.

Dear Lord, we are taught to work hard and not be lazy so that we will be ready for tomorrow. But You alone know what the future holds. Help us to be diligent in the work You bless us with and to be faithful in trusting You with whatever the outcome may be. No one wants to pray for crisis or trouble, yet we know they come to each of us, please help us, Lord, to be faithful and trust You in every little matter. In Jesus name, amen.

Written by Mary M. Wilkins

Wednesday Devotional...12/26/12...Let the Christmas Rejoicing.....

                                       .....Continue and Keep Us Joyful

The day after one of the most highly celebrated and highly joyful days of the year can be to some a difficult day. So much going on with the Christmas preparations and season and then Christmas is over. Or is it truly over.

God's word tells us in

Philippians 4:4...

"Rejoice

in the Lord always.

Again I will say, rejoice!"

We can wake up each and every morning and celebrate our Savior. The Lord tells us to rejoice always. He wants us to have a joyful spirit and a heart that celebrates Him every day of the year.



Rejoice in Him always and your heart will be uplifted, refreshed and strengthened throughout the year. Jesus is worth rejoicing over!

In His Radical Love,
Sandy Billingham

Tuesday Devotional...12/25/12...He Has Come

As you celebrate Christmas

never loose sight of the fact that

Jesus is the Reason

for the Season
and that the reason He came

was to open the gates of heaven
to us so that we might live with Him forever.

His birth is just the start

Celebrate the Baby

Wait for the work of Jesus
God and Man.

Merry Christmas

May you all be blessed.

With love from the writers of
Womens' Focus Ministries.

With love from
Corinne Mustafa

Monday Devotional...12/24/12...Nary Understood

               Mary’s Song

sung to her cousin Elizabeth

And Mary said
“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”

Luke 1:45-55

When the angel came to speak with Mary she had her doubts. She knew what happened to women who were thought to be adulterous, to women who became pregnant outside of marriage. Still she understood and said, "Yes...be it done unto me according to thy word."

We are not asked to do such things as Mary was by God. Still, when we hear His word, we must not look away. Whatever He asks to do is important. Now is the time to say yes to God, so that, through Him we can do amazing things for His kingdom. We may never be called to do such important world changing things as Mary was called to. Or, maybe we will be.  We need to remember that the things we are asked to do are, in their own way, world changing. Listen when He calls you to help another, when He calls you to speak out when it is uncomfortable, or even when He asks you to be joyful when you ae not happy. Do things that even seen to have no earth moving results built into His request.

Remember that He uses His people to change things. No matter how small it seems you must understand, do it, and sing your song.

Christmas blessings.

Written by Corinne Mustafa

GIFT WRAPPING

Sunday devotional for 12/23/12

Are you ready?  Christmas is just 2 days away.  Hopefully all your gifts have been bought, the decorations are up, the meals are planned and any visitors are either on their way or have already arrived, safely.  One thing that is often left to the very last is wrapping the final gifts or stuffing the stockings with goodies.  

How do you wrap your gifts?  Do you use colorful, shiny papers with fancy bows and ribbons, or bags with pretty tissue paper?  I remember when we were young we would sometimes wrap the gifts in the Sunday funnies, because they were colorful, and it was a good way to recycle the paper.  My husband started a tradition in our family years ago of wrapping my gifts in foil.  He decided that was the quickest and easiest way to wrap: no folded corners, no tape, and if it wrinkled it simply made it sparkle more!  Our two boys picked up on that tradition and it continues to this day. Do you have a favorite way to wrap gifts?

The packaging and the wrapping tell us very little about the contents.  I remember on several occasions when I was young, someone got a gift that was boxed several times in progressively smaller and smaller boxes - one way to make a small gift into a big production.  My husband has a tendency to try to figure out what is in the package before Christmas arrives. If we package it well enough, it won't rattle inside when shaken.  He will pick it up to feel how heavy it is, shake it, turn it every which way, and try to get you to tell him if he is right in his guesses.  If it is something he has not listed as a gift he wanted, it makes it even harder to identify.

Our own "wrapping" as people also comes in many forms - our clothing, our looks, our skin color, wrinkles or not, large or small, short or tall - none of it really tells others about who we really are inside.  Our actions, however, can reflect our inner selves.  That may begin to tell other people about who we really are.  But even then, others cannot truly know what is in our hearts.  Only God sees what is in the heart.  Only the Lord can tell if we are true believers and sincere in our actions toward others.  We can only judge the "wrappings" of other people - only God can judge the "contents" of our hearts.

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”  I Samuel 16:7 NIV

Our heavenly King came to earth as a tiny baby in a stable, wrapped in swaddling cloths, laid in a manger - not the expected royal beginnings of a King. So this Christmas may we be reminded that what we see on the outside can be a distorted image of what is inside others.  We may be called to lovingly address outside actions, but we are never to judge another soul.  What does the Lord see in YOUR heart?

Dear God, we are eternally grateful thank you sent your Son to earth, even in an unexpected way at the time, yet revealing yourself in a glorious way. Thank you for understanding the real me, revealing the inside of my heart.  Help me to be just as understanding with others as you are with me.  Thank you for forgiving me when I have judged others unfairly, as that is not my job.  Help me to be loving and encouraging and uplifting in all I do.  In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen.

written by Jan Andersen

Saturday Devotional...12/22/12...The Best Groceries

  MY PRAYER

FOR ALL OF YOU 

IS THAT YOU

WILL RECEIVE

THE GIFTS

THAT COUNT
THIS CHRISTMAS
AND THROUGHOUT 2013

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

~*HEAVEN'S GROCERY STORE*~

As I was walking down life's highway

many years ago

I came upon a sign that read

Heavens Grocery Store.

When I got a little closer

the doors swung open wide

And when I came to myself

I was standing inside.

I saw a host of angels.

They were standing everywhere

One handed me a basket

and said "My child shop with care."

Everything a human needed

was in that grocery store

And what you could not carry

you could come back for more

First I got some Patience

Love was in that same row.

Further down was Understanding,

you need that everywhere you go.

I got a box or two of Wisdom

and Faith a bag or two.

And Charity of course

I would need some of that too.

I couldn't miss the Holy Ghost

It was all over the place.

And then some Strength

and Courage to help me run this race.

My basket was getting full

but I remembered I needed Grace,

And then I chose Salvation for

Salvation was for free

I tried to get enough of that to do

for you and me.

Then I started to the counter

to pay my grocery bill,

For I thought I had everything

to do the Masters will.

As I went up the aisle

I saw Prayer and put that in,

For I knew when I stepped outside

I would run into sin.

Peace and Joy were plentiful,

the last things on the shelf.

Song and Praise were hanging near

so I just helped myself.

Then I said to the angel

"Now how much do I owe?"

He smiled and said

"Just take them everywhere you go."

Again I asked "Really now,

How much do I owe?"

"My child" he said, "God paid your bill

a long long time ago."

 

Anonymous Poem
Shared by Corinne Mustafa 

Friday Devotional...THE CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

My husband and I had been happily married (most of the time)

for five years but hadn’t been blessed with a baby,
I decided to do some serious praying and promised God that if he would give us a child,

 I would be a perfect mother, love it with all my heart and raise it with His word as my guide.

God answered my prayers and blessed us with a son.

The next year God blessed us with another son.

The year after that we were blessed with a daughter.

My husband thought we’d been blessed right into poverty.

We now had four children, and the oldest was only four years old.

I learned never to ask God for anything unless I meant it. 

As a minister once told me, “If you pray for rain, make sure you carry an umbrella.”

I began reading a few verses of the Bible to the children

 each day as they lay in their cribs…

I was off to a good start. God had entrusted me with four children

and I didn’t want to disappoint Him.

I tried to be patient the day the children smashed

 two dozen eggs on the kitchen floor searching for baby chicks.

I tried to be understanding…when they started a hotel

for homeless frogs in the spare bedroom,

although it took me two hours to catch all twenty-three frogs.

When my daughter poured ketchup all over herself and rolled up in a blanket

to see how it felt to be a hot dog, I tried to see the humor rather than the mess…

In spite of changing over twenty-five thousand diapers,

 never eating a hot meal and never sleeping for more than thirty minutes at a time,

I still thank God daily for my children.

While I couldn’t keep my promise to be a perfect mother,

 I didn’t even come l=close…I did keep my promise to raise them in the Word of God.

I knew I was missing the mark just a little

when I told my daughter we were going t church to worship God,

and she wanted to bring a bar of soap along to

“wash up” Jesus, too.

Something was lost in the translation when I explained

that God gave us everlasting life, and my son thought it was generous

of God to give us his “last wife.”

My proudest moment came

during the children’s Christmas pageant.

My daughter was playing Mary,

 two of my sons were shepherds

and my youngest son was a wise man.

This was their moment to shine.

My five-year old shepherd had practiced his line,

“We found the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes.:

But he was nervous and said,

“The baby was wrapped in wrinkled clothes.”.

My four-year old “Mary” said, “That’s not wrinkled clothes,” silly.

That’s dirty, rotten clothes.”

A wrestling match broke out between Mary and the shepherd

and was stopped by an angel, who bent her halo and lost her left wings.

I slouched a little lower in my seat when Mary dropped the doll representing Baby Jesus,

and it bounced down the aisle crying, “Mama-mama.”

Mary grabbed the doll, wrapped it back up and held it tightly as the wise men arrived.

My other son stepped forward wearing a bathrobe and a paper crown,

knelt at the manger and announced, “We are the three wise men,

and we are bringing gifts of gold, common sense and fur.”

The congregation dissolved into laughter, and the pageant got a standing ovation.

“I’ve never enjoyed a Christmas program as much as this one,”

 laughed the pastor, wiping tears from his eyes.

“For the rest of my life, I’lll never hear the Christmas story

without thinking of gold, common sense and fur.”

“My children are my pride and my joy and my greatest blessing.”

I said as I dug through my purse for an aspirin.

Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master,

Had no degree,

Yet they called Him Teacher.

Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer,

Had no army, yet kings feared Him.
Hwve won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.

He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.

He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.

Shared by: Glenna Williamson

Thursday Devotional...EACH DAY...

                                                                         ...IS PRECIOUS!

By now, everyone has heard about the atrocity that occurred in Newtown, CT. Twenty children and six staff members of Sandy Hook Elementary School were murdered on December 14, 2012. How desperately we all want answers. But is there any answer that will make us feel better or give us peace?

A person chose to do an evil thing. His despicable action ripped a gaping wound down the middle of an entire town, and people from all over the world are responding with sympathy and compassion. The horror that the families in Newtown are dealing with is a reminder of how precious each day is because we have no idea what may happen tomorrow.

God blesses those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Matthew 5:4

(NIV)

 

Dear Lord, may I remember to count my blessings every day. Please give me the understanding to see every challenge as an opportunity to walk in faith trusting that You see all that happens. In Jesus name, amen.

Written by Mary M. Wilkins

Wednesday...12/19/12..."Compelled By His Love"

Christ's love for each one of us has never ceased to amaze me. He is crazy in love with us. In fact it is that kind of love for us that brought Him to the cross. He was willing to pay a hefty price for us even when we didn't deserve it. Christ went through excruciating pain, even to the point of death for His undying love for His people. And it is those who fully trust Him that reap an overflow of rich abundance in benefits because of His great love for us.

It is that kind of love that compels us to live our lives in full surrender to God and to compel others as well to pursue God with all of their hearts.

God's tremendous love for us leaves us no other option but to live a dynamic life onto Him.

In His Radical Love For Us,
Sandy Billingham

Tuesday Devotional....Sad Beginning...

           ...Happy Ending

Twas' 11 days

before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children

stormed through heaven's gate.
Their smiles were contagious, t

heir laughter filled the air.
They could hardly believe

all the beauty they saw there.

They were filled with such joy;

they didn't know what to say.

They remembered nothing

of what had happened

earlier that day.

 

"Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.

“This is heaven" declared a small boy.
"We’re spending Christmas at God's house”.

When what to their wondering eyes did appear,

but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.

Then He opened His arms and He called them by name.

And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring

those children all flew into the arms of their King

and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,

one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.

And as if He could read all the questions she had

He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad.

“then He looked down on earth, the world far below

He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe,

then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,

“Let My power and presence re-enter this land!

“May this country be delivered from the hands of fools

” “I’m taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!

Then He and the children stood up without a sound.

“Come now my children let me show you around.

“Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.

All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,

“in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

(C) Zydha Hart
December, 2012

 Shared by Corinne Mustafa

Monday Devotional...12/17/12...A Christmas Prayer

Dear Jesus,

It’s a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.

These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated.

The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?

Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod’s jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence.

Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.

Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won’t you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.

This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.

Hopefully,

Your Children

Shared by Corinne Mustafa

TRAGEDY AND TRIUMPH

Sunday devotional 12/16/12

There was a great tragedy in this country this past week, when innocent little children were shot and murdered in a school in Connecticut. It is hard enough for us to wrap our heads around people being killed for absolutely no reason, but then to also have those lives that were taken be so young makes it even harder for us to understand.  This world is full of tragedies, and sometimes it seems we are so helpless to do anything about it.  

Just know that God understands.  He is familiar with grief and suffering and with the loss of his own only son in what would seem to us to be a senseless and cruel killing.  

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.  Isaiah 53:3 NIV

But in the grander scheme of things, that was a necessary death.  We may never fully understand what the bigger picture is, but we don't have to understand.  We only need to know we are in God's arms, like a shepherd carrying his little lambs. 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 10:10-11

This Advent is a time of preparation for us for the coming of the Good Shepherd.  We are not just anticipating the celebration of his birth at Bethlehem, but also his death and resurrection, as well as his second coming.  We need to prepare the way for the Lord by helping others know God and his loving mercy and forgiveness. In that way we will be like John the Baptist, helping to make a path for Jesus to enter the hearts of all people.

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”  This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:  “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”  Matthew 3:1-3 NIV

So in the midst of life's tragedies, we are not helpless, because our God will always triumph.  He knows and understands our suffering, and he has promised to give us abundant life.  May we help prepare the way for the Lord, praying for those who suffer, witnessing to God's great love. and supporting them through our words and actions.

written by Jan Andersen