Friend, there is a fountain we can freely come to satisfy our thirst that will never dry out. Spiritual refreshment for the day ahead. Hope to cling to when we feel parched and depleted. Jesus Christ is the quencher of our soul’s desire and He said, “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life,” (John 4:14). Come, and be filled.
~Word for Life Says
Friend, isn’t it encouraging to know that no dismal state, regardless of how low the clouds may hang or how much shade is cast over one, who we are or were, through Christ, is made totally new. The grace of His love and sacrifice given to us is a picture so wonderful, who would not want to turn to Him and receive this great exchange? For He will “Give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified” (Isaiah 61:3).
~Word for Life Says
Friend, it is the soul’s consolation to know that when we come before our Heavenly Father, there is no turning away because of background or social status. Lineage is not a prerequisite to being called His and to receive His blessings, nor is one’s economic standing. The only requirement is to believe and trust in Him, knowing that no matter who you are or where you hail from, “He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great” (Psalm 115:13).
~Word for Life Says
Friend, what a beautiful word “ended” shall be. It signals rest, completion, ceasing, and finishing. It is forever putting to bed contentions, strife, fighting, and hurting; reasons for tears and upsets, knowing in our Lord it is all finally over. The reward ahead is sure for God is our sure foundation. It will not slip through the fingers of faith. The days of toiling have an expiration date and we will lay ahold of that glorious promise: “For the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended” (Isaiah 60:20).
~Word for Life Says
Friends, where has the focus of your heart rested today? It is good to come to the place of remembrance and think about all the Lord has done for us and what He has brought us through. The psalmist said, “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands” (Psalm 143:5). Like a daily vitamin, it is nourishing for the soul to spend time reflecting on the Lord’s hand in one’s life and letting the thoughts thereof build one’s faith even stronger.
~Word for Life Says
Friends, there may be days when we feel like a disassembled puzzle with pieces scattered here and there. But nothing can be further from the truth. In Christ, you are complete. You are wholly beautiful. While our lives and spaces may get disorganized at times, we are well put together and held by our completeness in Christ: “And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power” Colossians 2:10, NKJV
~Word for Life Says
Returning to the familiar can be like a warm hug. Its embrace is comfortable and welcoming and can give you a sense of belonging.
But what if you don’t belong in the familiar? What if the place you are trying to return to is not the best for you? What if you are trading the comfort of familiarity for the hard choice to move on to something new?
This time of year, many people seek to add new routines to their lives, new regimens to their health, and pursue fresh ideas about what they want out of life. At the same time, many resolutions fall through because going after the new is not always the easiest thing to do. The steps forward can be uncomfortable rather than exciting, and truthfully, it can be downright overwhelming.
In the Bible, God knew what was best for His people, but how often did we see that the children of Israel wanted to go back to what was not best, back to the familiar (Numbers 14:4)? In Egypt, although it was hard, they knew what to expect. Their routines were predictable, and they knew which course of action would produce which results.
God wanted better for them. He desired to take them on a life-changing expedition.
But when God wanted them to journey through the wilderness toward their Promised Land, many became apprehensive and disillusioned with the many challenges they faced in order to reach that goal. And even though Egypt wasn’t good for them and caused them great pain, when times got hard in going toward their place of promise, they wanted to return to the familiar.
With rose-colored glasses on, they talked themselves into believing that the old place where they had come from was not that bad (Exodus 16:3; Numbers 11:5). They convinced themselves that things were okay with the way they were and to be content with a life that was less than ideal because the prospect of the new brought too many challenges.
In pursuing change, we too must be careful not to romanticize where we have come from or where we are going. We must remind ourselves there was a reason for wanting change in the first place. To continually look back and want to throw oneself into that familiar embrace can sabotage where you are trying to go and what you are trying to do (Proverbs 4:25-27; Luke 9:62).
At the same time, to look ahead as if everything is going to be peaches and cream, as if moving forward is going to produce automatic results without hurdles to overcome, is setting oneself up for a fairy-tale ending without experiencing the tragedy of the plot in the middle. It just does not happen that way.
Although this is just the beginning of the year, as it progresses, there will be a few times, if not many, when the pull to the familiar will seek to lure you back (Isaiah 43:18-19).
The familiar, when used correctly, can be an incredibly beautiful thing. But, if you are after real change this year, and the familiar place is not what was producing it, challenge yourself to stay the course, to keep looking ahead (Philippians 3:12-14).
Prayerfully, seek God’s wisdom and guidance, and as with the children of Israel, He will gladly show you the way (Exodus 13:21; Psalm 25:4-5).
Yes, this year, the new may have its challenging moments, but when you reach your place of promise, think of the beauty there to behold.
Friend, our hope is not dimmed. Nor is the flame of fire of our faith extinguished. For as long as our Lord remains on high (He always will) and remains on the throne of heaven (He always will), our reason for hope is always alive and fanning the flames of faith in our hearts. Today, don’t look around at what you may see but look up to Him who is the source of our true hope: “Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me” (Micah 7:7).
~Word for Life Says
Friends, without even realizing it we are on the wheel today. There is a final destination awaiting us in glory and progress is being made on that final product. While the end goal is heaven, here we are formed to be vessels fit for the Master’s use (2 Timothy 2:21). Some days we may feel all right, others our imperfections may seem more pronounced, but take heart for even that great apostle once declared, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect…” (Philippians 3:12). It may be we are still in the process. It may be that the Father’s loving and careful hands are still at the wheel shaping us: “Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand…” (Jeremiah 18:6). By faith, allow yourself to be shaped.
~Word for Life Says
Friends, there is a stillness of heart and soul one must appreciate and long for. When the world demands noise and roars its desires, the Lord beckons us to steal away in His presence and just be still (Psalm 46:10). It is in the quietness of this moment where we shut out the world’s demands and wrap ourselves in the familiar embrace of knowing our God.
~Word for Life Says
Word For Life Says... 