II Thessalonians 1:11 ” With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.”

You are called of God, and with it will start the process of His purpose.  This process may be short…it may be lengthy.  But with every good-will, benevolent work, you will grow and mature into what He has intended  you to be.

I Samuel 10: 21-22 ” Finally Saul son of Kish was chosen. But when they looked for him, he was not to be found. So they inquired further of the Lord, ‘ Has the man come here yet?’ And the Lord said, ‘ Yes, he has hidden himself among the baggage.’ “

We somehow naively think that if we “hide real good”, God won’t be able to find us.  But it doesn’t happen that way.  You may be hiding from the Lord right now…but if He has called you to do something, He will relentlessly purse you…despite how deep you may have burrowed yourself in amongst the bags.  If you have been called of God,  He will not change His mind …the only thing you can do is obey, or find a new hiding place.

Romans 15:4 ” For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

The Holy Word of God is not only there to instruct, but also to strengthen and establish us as Believers in our faith.  And as our faith is built up…so does our confidence in our Lord.

Proverbs 13:12 ” Hope deferred makes the heart sick…”

I heard a term used this week that really resonated in my soul, both in my long career as a Nurse, and personally.  The term was anticipatory grief.  I’ve seen this in couples where one of the spouse was dying of cancer.  I’ve seen it in  Alzheimer Units I’ve managed when the patient can no longer recognize their loved ones and the ravages of the disease process are quickly taking everything else.  I experienced it myself that day the Cardiologist  told my husband to go home and put his affairs in order.  Anticipatory grief is waiting for the other shoe to fall…it’s  attempting to prepare for the unknown, not knowing what that is,  or what it will even  look like.  Anticipatory grief will make you hit the Pause button…everything stops…everything is on hold.  For a time there is no future…there is no hope…you go into combat mode just to survive.  But we can’t stay in combat mode forever…the stress is  too overwhelming.  We are creatures that need hope to survive…what ever the face of hope is. ” One day at a time” ,  isn’t just a saying…it’s way to manage anticipatory grief, and the  future, whatever  it  will be.

Romans 13:8 ” Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.”

The Greek word for “fellowman” is quite interesting.  On one hand, it means others or another person similar to yourself.  But it can also mean someone who  is different, diverse, or even foreign to you.  Regardless of who they are or what walk of life they come from, we are to love them all as Christ does.

Psalm 66:20 ” Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love from me.”

The Lord will never dismiss your prayer as too trivial to listen to.  He will never turn His face away when you call out to Him.  His mercy and kindness He will never hold back from a sincere, heartfelt  prayer.

Psalm 66: 18-19 ” If I cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.”

When we allow our inner nature to choose, it always heads toward trouble…which leads to wickedness…which leads to emptiness…emptiness of body, mind, and spirit.  Anytime we let our flesh choose which idol to worship…it’s never the Lord.

Psalm 66:17 ” I cried out to Him with my mouth; His praise was on my tongue.”

Take a moment today to proclaim your appreciation to the Lord.  Exalt and glorify the miraculous things He has done in your life.  Give honor and praise to the Lord for all the things He has taken you out of.  Praise the name of the Lord, for He is good…and His goodness will never fail.”

Psalm 66:16 ” Come and listen all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me.”

When the Lord does something wonderful in your life… don’t keep it to yourself…share it with others.  Our faith will be built up from hearing about it, and your faith will be built up even more each time you share.  We all need to be testifying about God’s goodness and creative activity in our lives.

II Corinthians 1: 22 ” He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

Do you know  how much God loves you?  He loves you so much, that  He has stamped His name on your heart… and you are now His forever and ever.  No person or thing  can ever take you away from Him.  That Holy stamp is indelible, unchangeable, and eternal.