The Hope Jesus Gives Us, All Year Round
What this world fails to give us, God can provide for us.
Though some may feel they don't know him, Jesus has still been by our side, through all the tears, doubts, anger, and fears in our lives. That's what he does, and that's who he is. He has seen every bit of all we've been through. We are no stranger to him. He knows us better than we know ourselves.
All those times we thought we were going through the hard times alone? We weren't. Jesus sat right by our side, though we may not have noticed, nor even considered it. He has always been there. And why not? God did not show up just for Christmas. He's been there all along.
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb... I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. ... Wonderful are your works..." Psalm 139.
This speaks volumes of how valuable we are to God. He crafted us in our mother's womb, to be a distinct individual. You and your life are special and sacred to him.
Even in pain, we can develop wisdom. Suffering, depression and tragedy, have a way of compelling us to look at the deeper meaning of life, that may have otherwise, been ignored. How often Jesus gets ignored. It must break his heart, after all he did for us. He gave his life, his all.
Through it all, Jesus is there, hugging us, caring about us, and loving us. He would never leave, nor abandon us, like others may. He's there for keeps and that's a promise he will never break to us, because he won't lie to us, as others may. He won't say one thing, then do another. He's trustworthy, perfect, and incapable of error. Lying is not in his character. While others may leave us, Jesus will always be there for us, no matter what. He will be a constant in our life...if we want him to be.
But this is not a one-way street. Jesus wants to be our best friend. He can't do that unless we invite him into our heart and life, to be that friend we need. Jesus showed up for us, not in some sanctimonious way, but for real. And to be honest, who hasn't gotten mad at him and yelled at him and wrestled with him in our confused, misunderstanding minds, yet found his arms around us still... holding us until all the pain and turmoil subsides. He's always there and he wants us to know that. He is our fellow sufferer, our real Father, Comforter, Way Maker, and Promise Keeper... the one who will never let you down in this world.
Jesus said we need to experience Him. He said he will meet us in our grief or pain, and carry us toward healing, both physically and spiritually, and he does. That was the very reason for his birth and life mission, so he could give us hope and a brand new life, including eternal life in heaven with Him. As we accept Jesus and His promises, he fills us with his Holy Spirit of truth, peace, comfort, and joy, as we fellowship with him.
Sometimes we need to be challenged, so we can begin to look beyond ourselves, to a Savior who loves and cares about us, and wants to bring healing to our lives in every way.
Hard times bring us to a place of vision, giving us a new perspective on life. It is there, God teaches wisdom and healing, as our tears bring into sharper focus...truth and the deep things of God. It is in the valley, that we begin to look to God and see our Hope. That's when he becomes real to us. He said he will rescue and help us, if we'll let him. He has rescued thousands of people who have turned to him. That is God's promise to us, and he never breaks a promise.
God's message to us? "Take heart; you do not walk this path alone. I am not at a distance, nor helpless at your losses. Believe, though you have not yet seen, and your faith shall be rewarded openly, by what you shall see and experience in my everlasting promises. Come to Me in prayer, all that are heavily burdened, and I shall give you rest. Nothing and no one in this world, can provide you the promises, I give you. All are equal at the cross and there's always room for you. I turn no one away."
Though some may feel they don't know him, Jesus has still been by our side, through all the tears, doubts, anger, and fears in our lives. That's what he does, and that's who he is. He has seen every bit of all we've been through. We are no stranger to him. He knows us better than we know ourselves.
All those times we thought we were going through the hard times alone? We weren't. Jesus sat right by our side, though we may not have noticed, nor even considered it. He has always been there. And why not? God did not show up just for Christmas. He's been there all along.
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb... I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. ... Wonderful are your works..." Psalm 139.
This speaks volumes of how valuable we are to God. He crafted us in our mother's womb, to be a distinct individual. You and your life are special and sacred to him.
Even in pain, we can develop wisdom. Suffering, depression and tragedy, have a way of compelling us to look at the deeper meaning of life, that may have otherwise, been ignored. How often Jesus gets ignored. It must break his heart, after all he did for us. He gave his life, his all.
Through it all, Jesus is there, hugging us, caring about us, and loving us. He would never leave, nor abandon us, like others may. He's there for keeps and that's a promise he will never break to us, because he won't lie to us, as others may. He won't say one thing, then do another. He's trustworthy, perfect, and incapable of error. Lying is not in his character. While others may leave us, Jesus will always be there for us, no matter what. He will be a constant in our life...if we want him to be.
But this is not a one-way street. Jesus wants to be our best friend. He can't do that unless we invite him into our heart and life, to be that friend we need. Jesus showed up for us, not in some sanctimonious way, but for real. And to be honest, who hasn't gotten mad at him and yelled at him and wrestled with him in our confused, misunderstanding minds, yet found his arms around us still... holding us until all the pain and turmoil subsides. He's always there and he wants us to know that. He is our fellow sufferer, our real Father, Comforter, Way Maker, and Promise Keeper... the one who will never let you down in this world.
Jesus said we need to experience Him. He said he will meet us in our grief or pain, and carry us toward healing, both physically and spiritually, and he does. That was the very reason for his birth and life mission, so he could give us hope and a brand new life, including eternal life in heaven with Him. As we accept Jesus and His promises, he fills us with his Holy Spirit of truth, peace, comfort, and joy, as we fellowship with him.
Sometimes we need to be challenged, so we can begin to look beyond ourselves, to a Savior who loves and cares about us, and wants to bring healing to our lives in every way.
Hard times bring us to a place of vision, giving us a new perspective on life. It is there, God teaches wisdom and healing, as our tears bring into sharper focus...truth and the deep things of God. It is in the valley, that we begin to look to God and see our Hope. That's when he becomes real to us. He said he will rescue and help us, if we'll let him. He has rescued thousands of people who have turned to him. That is God's promise to us, and he never breaks a promise.
God's message to us? "Take heart; you do not walk this path alone. I am not at a distance, nor helpless at your losses. Believe, though you have not yet seen, and your faith shall be rewarded openly, by what you shall see and experience in my everlasting promises. Come to Me in prayer, all that are heavily burdened, and I shall give you rest. Nothing and no one in this world, can provide you the promises, I give you. All are equal at the cross and there's always room for you. I turn no one away."
