This video is one that I think really makes us think, where is the line to see Jesus?

Where’s the line to see Jesus?

It is God who arms me with strength 
   and keeps my way secure.

By doing this and showing my faith, I have two things working for me. First, I can proudly witness to people without saying a word, but also that everytime I think of it – I am reminded that it is GOD who does everything for us.

Sometimes we forget that God started it all. And in case you’ve forgotten, He will end it too, in a most miraculous way.

So, today as I sit in the airport, I log on to one of my favorite Scriptural reference websites and see the following verse:

“Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”” – John 6:29

I didn’t get it at first. WHAT is this supposed to mean?  I’ve challenged the youth to ask this type of question. So, what should one do when they don’t understand?  One solution is to go back and read the context of the passage. In this case, this passage follows the feeding of 5,000 and Jesus walking on water in the middle of the night to reach his disciples.  Many people went in search of Him, but didn’t understand how he left, because there was only 1 boat, and he didn’t leave with the disciples. 

However, the focus of the conversation was not about his miracles and about who He was. Jesus, however, brought attention to God’s work. The people asked:

John 6:28-  Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

In this case, Jesus was replying that there is NOTHING that a person can “DO” to earn God’s acceptance, EXCEPT:

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”  – John 6:29

Therefore, if you want God to accept you as you are, you MUST believe in Jesus. There is NO other way to get to Heaven, but to believe. That’s all that God requires!  If you don’t believe, make a decision today to change your future, and believe in Him! 

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day.

Her little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in, ‘Mom let’s run through the rain,’ She said.

‘What?’ Mom asked.

‘Let’s run through the rain!’ She repeated.

‘No, honey. We’ll wait until it slows down a bit,’ Mom replied.

This young child waited a minute and repeated: ‘Mom, let’s run through the rain..’

‘We’ll get soaked if we do,’ Mom said.

‘No, we won’t, Mom. That’s not what you said this morning,’ the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom’s arm.

‘This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?’

‘Don’t you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, ‘ If God can get us through this, He can get us through anything! ‘

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn’t hear anything but the rain.. We all stood silently. No one left. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say.

Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child’s life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

‘Honey, you are absolutely right. Let’s run through the rain. If GOD let’s us get wet, well maybe we just need washing,’ Mom said.

Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They got soaked.

They were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I did. I ran.  I got wet.  I needed washing.

Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories…So, don’t forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday.

To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.  Pray like you mean it, and live like you believe it.

I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

But all these questions are really irrelavent. What’s past is over. There is no changing it. What will happen today and tomorrow are truly the same issue. There is no need to worry or think about any of it…IF we truly trust in God’s capable hands.  As we look forward to our future, we need to remember that God has a plan already laid out. In fact, that plan is much bigger than many of us think about daily. We continually focus on minor aspects of our life, the little things. What time is this event? What is for dinner tonight? Remember, though, these are really little aspects to a much bigger plan!

What is the bigger plan? John saw our future:

  ¹ Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. ² I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

 ⁵ He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” – Revelation 21

We know the future. We know it’s true. And we know that there will be no more tears and no more pain.

Don’t fret over the little things. Instead, praise God for the big things!

Here is a wonderful explanation! A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she’s failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.

Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, ‘Absolutely Mom, I love your cake.’

‘Here, have some cooking oil,’ her Mother offers.
‘Yuck’ says her daughter.
‘How about a couple raw eggs?’
‘Gross, Mom!’
‘Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?’
‘Mom, those are all yucky!’

To which the mother replies: ‘Yes , all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! ‘

God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful! 

God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He’ll listen.

He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart. GOD LOVES YOU!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

Return that love to God today.

Thanks and credits go to an unknown author for this devotion.

Saturday night, after a great afternoon at the river with the youth (BTW – thanks to ALL the adults who contributed to our party), I returned home and quickly became ill and developed a fever that put me in bed for about 14 hours. I was freezing cold and sweating at the same time. Kimberly took care of me while I stayed exhausted and cold/hot. The neat thing, however, is that God does heal us. While I had to remain home from church so that I wouldn’t infect anyone else, God used that day to help provide me with much needed rest for my body, mind, and spirit.

Today I feel much better. Although I’m still not 100%, I’m ready to get moving again.

The Bible tells us that even 2000 years ago people had diseases and sicknesses. Back then they didn’t have a quarter of probably 1/10th of the medicines we have today. However, they DID have JESUS!

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. – Matthew 4:23

We may think in this modern world that the medicines are what is making us better. Sure they do help, but just think for a second: Where did the medicine come from? Who invented it? How did it come to be?

God will meet all your needs. – Philippians 4:19

It is God who provides for our needs, and supplies HIS grace and mercy upon us, every day of our life. Thanks be to God who brings us through in our times of weakness and dismay.

Every wonder where God is?

“Fear not, for I am with you” – Isaiah 41:10

If that’s not enough for you, the verse continues…

“Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” Isaiah 41:10 

I think that pretty much covers it! In times of trouble, in times of joy, God is right here with us, holding us in His hand!

Nothing is too hard for [the Lord].

I can’t tell you why this hit me, maybe I needed to hear it. Maybe you needed to hear it. Regardless, it is our responsibility to study and grow our knowledge. As we study through the Bible, this theme is steady and constant. In Jeremiah, we find the words:

¹⁷ “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

and again…

²⁶ Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: ²⁷ “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? (obviously- that was a rhetorical question)

But is it really mentioned elsewhere?

¹⁴ Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son. Genesis 18:14 (again, rhetorical question)

So many times, repeatedly in the Bible, a person, usually a faithful devoted one would challenge God, or His messenger concerning what they had been told. I think of Mary asking the angel Gabriel about her divine pregnancy: (from Luke 1:34) “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” Over and over, faithful ones challenged or at the least questioned God’s direction or ability. Yet, over and OVER again, He proved His divine authority. You see, it is God that is in control over all.

Some days, especially when we think we are controlling our lives, we begin to challenge God’s direction, His Will, or His ability to help us make it through. However, He has proven time and time again…, not only can He do it, but His plan and His ways are far superior to anything we could imagine.

Therefore, today as you ponder, “how?” – how is it possible, or “why?” – why is this happening to me? – simply trust the Lord - Nothing is too hard for the Lord!