Be encouraged...
Hey everyone!
Hope you all have been well. It’s been a few weeks since I last posted. I had some travel and spent time with my brother as he had some medical stuff done. All is well and for that we praise God!
This past Wednesday in Bible class we sang “How deep the Father’s love for us” together and this verse always gets me:
“I will not boast in anything No gifts, no power, no wisdom But I will boast in Jesus Christ His death and resurrection Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer But this I know with all my heart His wounds have paid my ransom”
There’s a lot we can all complain about or lament over but I have really been challenging myself to make much of Jesus. No amount of suffering we face will even hold a candle to what Jesus went through on our behalf. This doesn’t say we don’t feel or experience the things we experience but it does say in our pain and grief we must look to Jesus!
Hebrews 4:15-16 CSB
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.”
We need mercy. We need grace. It’s only found in Jesus. John 15 reminds us that apart from him we can do nothing. Colossians reminds us that Christ is our life. The enemy would want nothing more than to keep us focused on what’s going on around us and distract us from who is with us! I am praying the same prayer for you all that Epaphras prayed over the church in Colossae:
Colossians 4:12 CSB
“Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling for you in his prayers so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills”
I have learned to not only pray for the physical and felt needs of friends but also that while we are in what we’re facing that we’d endure, mature, and be even more fully assured in Jesus!
Until Next Time
Demetrius