Good morning!

​Have you ever had your day or week hijacked by unexpected circumstances? How did you handle things? Did it generate fear or anxiety? Did it impact the rest of the day – in a negative way? In a positive way?
 
Or did it give you a chance to see God at work, feel the presence of Lord Jesus through the Holy Spirit? A chance to just trust God?
 
Some scripture that you might find relates to how we ask God into those situations:

• Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

God shares so much here about himself and his love for us. When things are not going the way we planned, he brings us comfort in His promises to us, His pleas to us to trust him – do not fear, do not be dismayed – however much something has gone off the track He reminds us – “I am with you, I am your God”. Then he shares why we should trust Him – He will provide us strength (in our weakness), He will help us, He will uphold us!

• Psalm 86:11 “Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth [some translations…’I will walk in your faithfulness’]; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”

I pray this almost every morning – I feel like I need to be a lifelong (on this side of eternity) learner of who Jesus is, how He is speaking to me AND most important how does knowing Jesus change how I live each moment. This applies to my questions above because knowing Jesus should inform how I handle the unplanned derailing my plans. Do I look to my relationship with Jesus and His way? Or do I push forward in understanding of my own making?

• Proverbs 16:9 “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

This proverb jumps out at me and causes me to ask myself how often am I making my own plans versus looking to understand what is God’s plan. Sound familiar to you? One of the lessons (see above…teach me your way, O Lord…) here is that if plans unravel, I need to look to what are the steps God is directing me to follow. Pausing to pray, to consider God’s Word, before acting would be prudent. I love that God is slowing me down these days when my plans go off track, to take a breath and to look to Him.

• Isaiah 25:1 “O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.”

This verse reminds us of God’s ultimate sovereignty. This is assuring and comforting – His plans formed of old – before creation. Surely that should be reason for us to trust in Him.

• Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”

When I think I have it all figured out, that is the time when I need to step back and remember this verse from Isaiah. So a couple of thoughts here – 1) when things go sideways, it seems right to double check my thinking – and looking to Jesus for direction; 2) when I do not understand something that is happening in my life or in regards to plans falling apart, I need to remember God’s ways and thoughts are greater than mine and even if I do not understand, I should look to trust God.

• Psalm 16:8 “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken”

I had to add this one at the last minute – ran across this on Twitter. It rings so true – setting Jesus before us makes it possible to be unshaken when things go awry. What a place in life to be at – one where we are not shaken – because we have our glorious Lord, Jesus Christ out in front of us!
 
It is funny as I read this, that so often it comes back to trusting God – in all circumstances. So despite the day yesterday going off the rails, it is or can be a good day because of our God.
 
Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us as we go into this weekend is that when things do not go according to plan, that each of us can place our trust in God and look to Him and You, His Son, for our comfort! Amen!
 
Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick

Good morning!

We are on the other side of celebrating Resurrection Sunday, the empty tomb. For many this represents joy, excitement and hope. For others there is still doubt. This reminds me of the two men walking on the road to Emmaus in Luke (see the full text below). 

Maybe it is not doubt but rather a lack of understanding. Of course a lack of understanding can create doubt. 

Anyway, my question to you today is do you have doubt, doubt about Jesus, His work, His call on your life? If yes, how are you pursuing overcoming that doubt? How are you seeking an understanding - and maybe more importantly - a relationship with the only one who secure your future?

Luke 23:13-35
13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

After reading this account, my recommendation, for me and you, is that we spend time in God's Word and allow Lord Jesus to open up our understanding and to deepen our relationship with the only one who can truly answer our doubts, giving us the strength to overcome our man-made insecurities. 

Trust in Lord Jesus and the fullness of His work. For those that believe and those who will soon come to know Him as well, Jesus and His work will be sufficient.

Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us as we go into this weekend is that we remember that You answer our doubt with Your work and open our eyes to see You and the Hope you bring to those who believe. I pray we take and share You, Your Hope with those we run into as we walk as Your ambassadors on our own journeys - our own roads to Emmaus ! Amen!

Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick

Good morning!

As I write this, it is Maundy Thursday. A special day if you are a believer in Jesus Christ. I am looking at a piece of scripture I wrote down a few weeks ago when I was in a spiritual battle over some personal sin in my life. This scripture reminded when I wrote it and now of the significance of what we as Christians celebrate during this Holy Week. These words Peter shared in his first letter -

• 1 Peter 2:24 - "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed."

Powerful words - helping me remember that it was my Lord's blood that now allows me to live to righteousness - not my own, but His.

The apostle Paul recognized Jesus as the "last Adam" providing us a comparison to the first Adam the source of mankind's sinful nature when Adam and Eve rebelled against their Creator by choosing what the serpent offered over what God offered. And Jesus, by His work alone, through God's mercy and grace undoes all the damage initiated by the first Adam.

I found a comparison similar to Paul's in a podcast I listened to and read this morning by John Stonestreet. I find this comparison valuable to being able to embrace the significance of what Jesus did for us 2000 years ago which gives us the Hope (Jesus and His work) we have.  Here is that comparison - quoting from the podcast transcript:

"The parallels between Jesus and Adam are deep. The ways in which Jesus is like, and yet better than, Adam, are numerous.

• Though the one failed and brought death on all His descendants, Jesus was faithful and obedient, and brought life and restoration through His death and resurrection. 
• The first Adam yielded to temptation in a garden. The Last Adam beat temptation in a garden.
• ​The first man, Adam, sought to become like God. The Last Adam was God who became a man.
• The first Adam was naked and received clothes. The Last Adam had clothes but was stripped.
• The first Adam tasted death from a tree. The Last Adam tasted death on a tree.
• The first Adam hid from the face of God, while the Last Adam begged God not to hide His face. 
• The first Adam blamed his bride, while the Last Adam took the blame for His bride.
• The first Adam earned thorns. The Last Adam wore thorns.
• The first Adam gained a wife when God opened man’s side, but the Last Adam gained a wife when man opened God’s side.
• The first Adam brought a curse. The Last Adam became a curse.
• While the first Adam fell by listening when the Serpent said, “take and eat,” the Last Adam told His followers, “Take and eat, this is my body.”

On Maundy Thursday we remember that meal Jesus shared with His Disciples, and His new command that we “love one another.” This meal is now given to all Christians, as is the command. Through His body and blood, the Last Adam restores to us what the Forbidden Fruit destroyed."

There is much about this day (Maundy Thursday) as Jesus is prepared His apostles, but also Good Friday (yes it is good, despite Jesus flogging and crucifixion) because death is conquered and the curtain is ripped top to bottom giving us access again to a direct relationship with God. And then all doubt is removed for the apostles (and for us as believers) on Resurrection Sunday...for this is the foundation of our true Hope...

HE IS RISEN...           HE IS RISEN INDEED!

I pray you have this Hope - if you don't I would love to share more with you. If you do have this Hope, I shout and Praise God for His steadfast love!

This brings me back to 1 Peter 2:24. In those few words, Peter conveys to us the immensity of what Jesus did for us...he conveys to me what Jesus did for me. And I sit stunned by this fact.

Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us as we go into this weekend is that we remember the full and complete work you have done that anchors and secures our salvation. By Your work alone Lord Jesus, our future has been anchor in, by and through You! Amen!

Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick

Good morning!
 
Thoughts in preparation of celebrating Holy Week and finally Resurrection Sunday.  How do you connect to what, how and why Christ walked through the suffering leading up to his crucifixion? Have you been  pondering the perfect sacrifice that was given us through Jesus?
 
Here are some of my thoughts from the past and present as we approach Resurrection Sunday:
 
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
Psalm 62:7, “My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.”
 
For me, the time leading up to Resurrection Sunday is a reflective time of year. I look forward to this time. This morning, as is often the case during this time of year, I even turn off the music and talk radio – mostly for me found on KTIS and MyFaith Radio. Even when being on a Christian station like KTIS, this still represents, in some ways, the noise of life. Shutting that input off provides me quiet time, reflection time, really most important time with God, with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Prayer time.
 
I fill this time with thoughts of two journeys – one a subset of the other – the first journey is that of Jesus Christ and His three year ministry starting with His 40 days in the desert (see Matthew 4:1-11) and temptation by Satan. The second journey starts in my reflection with Jesus sitting down with the apostles for the last supper (see John 13) – so many little things shine the light of God’s beauty (and complexity) when considered.
 
During His ministry and during the last day before He was crucified, we see many of these moments of light, all bringing a taste of God’s love to us – which we should embrace. Have you experienced those moments at this time of year? As you reflect on how much God loves us, is there anything that stands out for you personally? The verses above key into some of the qualities of God’s love that the apostles experienced during the long journey and during that last day before Christ was crucified…

• Father of compassion
• God of all comfort
• With us in all our troubles
• His comfort enabling us to comfort others in their trouble
• Our salvation is provided through Jesus Christ
• Our mighty rock
• Our refuge

All of this was present through Jesus Christ during His time on earth and especially when he spent that last day with the apostles – compassion and comfort, washing of their feet, with them as they struggled to understand what Jesus was sharing with them about His need to be obedient to the Father and lay down His life for them – they were troubled - His promise to them of a Helper, Advocate, the Holy Spirit – providing them a foundation, a rock, a refuge.
 
So today, for each of us, through Jesus Christ, and the presence in us of the Holy Spirit, we have the same assurances from God and the same love from God. And because of this, we have been prepared to share God’s love in our living both - in the work we do and outside of the work we do – to pour out the same love we receive from God to others. As shared in 2 Corinthians 1:4b “…, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
 
We learn to comfort others in their troubles as God comforts us in our trouble. We learn to love as God loves us so we can share that love with others.
 
Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us going into this weekend is that each of us can find time to reflect on all the beauty that You, Lord God provide during this special time of year. Because despite the painfulness of this part of the Good News, You, Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy spirit, share in Your love in amazing ways and we can see those ways if we just pause, take time to reflect. Please, go, pick up a Bible and read some of the journey of Jesus Christ – God’s love will shine! Amen!
 
Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick

Good morning all!
 
I am certain I have rambled on about this upcoming topic before…but here I go again… This morning I find myself pondering the word “trust” - as this applies to trusting God.
 
A God who you can trust would be a God who is faithful in all ways…Recently, I have included this verse from Isaiah in my daily prayer…
 
 Isaiah 41:10  “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”
 
This is God sharing with us that we can trust Him…so much hope wrapped in these words from God – to live without fear, to know that God is with us, that he takes our weakness and strengthens us, that he will hold us up – make us right.
 
As I have prayed this from some Psalms lately, it has been in many ways, with many words. Here is one way I pray some of the words you find in the Psalms, as a way of expressing trust of our God.

• I desire to walk without fear knowing that God is with me so I pray to walk each day without fear.
• I desire to be positive in all circumstances, so in prayer I lean on God sharing with Him that my joy is in Him through my Savior Jesus Christ despite the challenges I expect to face that day, let me not be downcast.
• I have many weaknesses that challenge me in doing the work God has on my plate, so I desire strength and in prayer I affirm to God that I know he will bring His strength to bear where my human weakness might stop me from moving forward, knowing He, as it aligned with His will, will help.
• I desire to walk righteously (not self-righteously), without sin each day, yet of course fail as I still walk in the flesh so I pray to God that I know He has, is and will up hold me with His righteous right hand BECAUSE my Savior, Jesus Christ, sitting at the right hand of the Father, has made me righteous with His blood. In that I am upheld today, tomorrow and for eternity.

 
So those are some of thoughts about trust in God. Here are some additional verses of encouragement to you today that God has shared in His word around trusting in Him:

• Matthew 6:31-33 “31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
• Matthew 6:25, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?”
• Psalm 31:14-15a, “But I trust in you, LORD; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands …”
• Galatians 3:26, “For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”
• Philippians 4:6-7 “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
• Psalm 29:11, “The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace.”
• Psalm 46:1-2, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.”
• Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
• Philippians 4:8b, 9b “Whatever is true … think about such things … And the God of peace will be with you”
• Zephaniah 3:17 “The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you; but will rejoice over you with singing”
• Ephesians 3:17b, 18 “I pray that you … may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ”
• 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you”
• Jeremiah 31:3 “The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness’”
• Psalm 36:5, “Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.”
• Psalm 48:9, “Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.”

 
You can find so many verses in God’s word sharing that He is faithful and therefore trust worthy, but for us to benefit from this faithfulness, we need to turn in trust to our God everyday. Seeing these verses should lift your heart up in hope, allowing you to discard the mantle of doubt that you may carry. I love this verse – had it in my pocket a few years ago for over a year – had to rewrite it out every few months as it frayed…
 
Psalm 46:10a He says, “Be still, and know that I am God”
 
Yes, You, Lord, are my God!
 
Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us as we enter this weekend is that each of us set aside all doubt and start opening each day in prayers of trust in You Lord Jesus and the work you have done for us, You who are ever faithful to us. Amen!
 
Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing and walking with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick