Category: Hope

  • Close to the Master: Embracing Life’s Journey

    Unhappy dog in a boat - text better unhappy close to the master than left alone

    This shot was taken quite a few years ago, at Star Lake Lodge, near Clearwater, BC.  Genni the Wonder Dog is clearly unhappy, sitting in the boat with me. She would rather be anywhere else than with me. All the indignities and discomfort were secondary to being close to the master.

    That’s the way life can be. We all face trials, tribulations, and struggles. We have miserable days, weeks, months and maybe even years.  It can be hard. Yet, I’d rather endure all things if it meant being close to the Master.

    Life is going to be hard whether you are a Christian or not. There are going to be highs and lows. Everyone ever born faces them to one degree or another. So the question becomes, would you rather face them alone or being close to the Master?

    The Lord does not promise us a problem-free life this side of glory. He doesn’t promise to make our struggles go away. He makes no claim that we will be instantly perfect. The process of struggle, guided by the Lord, is what sanctifies us (sets us apart for holiness).

    Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we boast in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not put to shame, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1-5

    Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith brings about perseverance. And let perseverance have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-3

    I know my life will not always be happy and pain-free. I know I will suffer losses. There will be times of injustice and persecution. Still, as Paul says…

    And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions and hardships, for the sake of Christ, for when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Corinthians 12:9-10

    Being in the boat may not be pleasant at times, but being outside the boat is infinitely worse. I’ll choose Jesus any time. I may not always be smiling in my circumstances, but it’s better being closeto the Master than anywhere else.

    Hold on, my friends. If you are His he has His hand on you no matter how rough the seas.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God) 

    Be blessed 

    Kevin 

    SUMMARY

    Being close to Jesus doesn’t exempt us from life’s trials, but it transforms how we face them. Like a dog who endures discomfort just to stay near her master, the Christian chooses to remain with Christ through every storm, knowing His presence is worth more than any comfort.

    TAKEAWAY

    Life’s hardships come to everyone — Christian or not — but facing them with Jesus means we are never truly alone.

    Trials have a purpose: Scripture teaches that affliction produces perseverance, perseverance builds character, and character gives birth to hope.

    God’s grace is sufficient in our weakness, and His power is perfected precisely when we have nothing left of our own.

    You might also enjoy

    Herded – an old Border Collie teaches me a lesson

    “Serving others, transforming worship into action.”

    Determined – some thoughts on the state of the world

    Your identity in Christ

  • New Every Morning – God’s Gift of Another Day

    Sunrise over the forest with text of :New Every morning" and Lamentations 3:23

    I suffer from a variety of sleep issues, which are kept somewhat under control by a CPAP machine and a variety of meds. I confess there are mornings when it takes me time to move from “Oh God, it’s morning” to “Thank you God for the gift of another day.”

    When we wake up, no matter the circumstances, it truly is God’s gift of another day. It doesn’t always feel that way. We might be fighting giants of many kinds in our lives. We may be dreading things to come. 

    Or we might spring out of bed because great things are on the horizon, and we can hardly wait for them to happen. That special holiday begins, or we’re meeting with a loved one we haven’t seen in a long time. Maybe it’s simply because you had a really great sleep that night.

    We might awaken slowly with no particular thought of the day. It’s simply time to arise.

    For most of us, it’s likely a combination of the three. There will be seasons of one of the other extremes, but most days are simply routine.  

    When I awaken, it is a new day. I do not know what it holds, good or bad, but it is another day to draw close to the Lord and be made a little bit more like Him.

    The loving kindnesses of Yahweh indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “Yahweh is my portion,” says my soul, Therefore I wait for Him.” Yahweh is good to those who hope in Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of Yahweh. Lamentations 3:21-26

    You might be more familiar with that verse in hymn form. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, new every morning. Great is your faithfulness, O God.”

    Whether it’s a great day ahead or a day of slogging through the mire, it truly is God’s gift of another day. New mercies. Fresh compassions. New opportunities to draw close to God.

    It is the LORD who ordains our number of days and the circumstances we face each day. He promises everything in those days will be for the good of those who love him. No pain or tear will go wasted.

    David touched on that idea with a Psalm.

     I will exalt You, O Yahweh, for You have lifted me up, and have not let my enemies be glad over me. O Yahweh my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me. O Yahweh, You have brought up my soul from Sheol; You have kept me alive, that I would not go down to the pit. Sing praise to Yahweh, you His holy ones, And give thanks for the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment. His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:1-5

    I don’t know what your day holds, but I do know that as a believer, you are safely held in the arms of an all-loving, all-powerful and Holy God. Hold fast.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God) 

    Be blessed 

    Kevin 

    Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone) 

    Subscribe today 

    SUMMARY

    Every morning—whether dreaded, anticipated, or simply routine—is a gift from God, carrying with it fresh mercies and new compassions that never fail. Whatever the day holds, believers are safely held by an all-loving, all-powerful God who wastes nothing.

    KEY POINTS

    God’s mercies are literally new every morning, meeting us exactly where we are—in struggle, in joy, or in the ordinary in-between.

    The Lord ordains our days and promises that every pain and tear will be worked for the good of those who love Him.

    Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning—so hold fast, no matter what the day ahead looks like.

    You might also enjoy: The gospel, the best news you will ever hear!