January 16 For You!

Photo by Lisa Brackbill

Genesis 32:13-34:31;  Matthew 11:7-30;  Psalm 14:1-7;  Proverbs 3:19-20

“By wisdom the Lord laid the foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place, by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.”

Proverbs 3:19-20

“the clouds let drop the dew”

for you.

* * * * *

And if He did this for us, then

surely as we face

the difficulties and challenges

before us,

we can rest in His love and care.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

* * * *

Our God-

Father, Son and Holy Spirit

is near.

His work of

Creation,

Redemption,

and Sanctification

goes on and on and on,

adding and building His Church

with the lives of those who

acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior,

whose sins are washed away in

the Waters of Baptism,

who receive His Body and Blood

at His table,

strengthened and renewed,

who are yoked with Him

as He walks by their side,

guiding,

guarding,

girding

and leading them to

His green pastures.

What other ‘god’ does this for his/her people?

What man or woman can do this for another?

Thank you, Jesus, my Lord and Savior, for doing this all for me–and not only me, but every single man, woman, and child that lives, that has ever lived, that ever will walk this earth.  To you be all honor and praise and glory, now and forever!  Amen.

His wisdom never plans in vain

nor falters nor mistakes.

All that his counsels may ordain

a happy ending makes.

* * * *

Upon your lips, then lay your hand,

and trust his guiding love;

Then like a rock your peace shall stand

here and in heav’n above.

~Paul Gerhardt

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August 28 It’s Been Rumored….

Photo by Matt Gruber

Job 28:1-30:31;  2 Corinthians 2:12-17;  Psalm 42:1-11;  Proverbs 22:7

“Where does wisdom come from?

Where does understanding dwell?

It is hidden from the eyes of every

living thing,

concealed  even from the birds

of the air.

Death and Destruction say,

‘Only rumor of it has reached our ears.’

God understands the way to it

and he alone knows where it dwells,

for he views the ends of the earth

and sees everything under the heavens.

When he established the force of the wind

and measured out the waters,

when he made a decree for the rain

and a path for the thunderstorm,

then he looked at wisdom and appraised it;

he confirmed it and tested it.

And he said to man,

“The fear of the Lord–that is wisdom,

and to shun evil is understanding.”

Job 28:20-28

 

The beginning and the end

of all wisdom

is found

in the Triune God-

Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Creator,

Redeemer,

Sanctifier.

Rumors may fly

of  a better wisdom,

but like Death and Destruction

the end of it

is only the beginning

of an endless search

for truth.

“And because of him you are in Christ Jesus,

who became to us wisdom from God,

righteousness and sanctification

and redemption.”

1 Corinthians 1:30

Lord God, we thank and praise you that we need not be swayed by rumors of a “better” wisdom–that we can be confident that through faith we have the ultimate wisdom within us.  We have Jesus our Lord and Savior, Life giver and Life sustainer.  Forgive us when our itching ears seek out a different wisdom–one that caters to worldy desires.  For Jesus’ sake, Amen.

August 5 Plain And Simple

Image by Sandara Lee

Ezra 1:1-2:70; 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5; Psalm 27:7-14; Proverbs 20:22-23

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of the world and the despised things; so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us the wisdom from God–that is–righteousness, holiness and redemption.” 1 Corinthians 1:27-30

No fancy talk,
no detailed plan,
no step by step
to happiness.
God reached down
plain and simple
took my hand
and led me to see
that I needed Him.
Needed Him to
wash me up,
fill me with the
Bread of Life,
to know His Son
who died for me.
That nothing I could
say or do
would make Him
love me less.
Plain and simple
Faith takes hold
of that unseen
and walks ahead with Him.
“For God so love the world
that He gave His only begotten Son
that whosoever believes in him
will never die,
but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Plain and Simple!

October 4 Answered Prayer

Photo by Marian Trinidad

Jeremiah 2:31-4:18;  Colossians 1:1-20;  Psalm 76:1-12;  Proverbs 24:21-22

“…we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.  And we pray this in order that you might live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way;  bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of  God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.  For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”  Colossians 1:9-14

 

Laying to rest a loved one,

loved by us,

loved more by God

speaks the Amen

to Paul’s prayer

from prison

so long ago.

Prayer for faith,

for strength,

for endurance.

Prayer to be fruitful in

good works.

Prayer of thanksgiving,

of joy,

for a life redeemed.

Rest in peace,

dear one.

Amen and Amen!

 

Lord God Heavenly Father, thank you for the prayer Paul prayed, parents prayed, teachers prayed, pastors prayed, friends prayed, a husband prayed through the years.  Thank you for a life lived shining bright with kind words, a ready smile and encouragement for all.  For work done well and in Your name.  For a heart that beat big enough to embrace and nurture all who came near.  Above all, thank you for your grace that made all this possible.  To you we give all thanks and praise, Amen!