Take heart!

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

"Courage" has at its origin the word 'heart.'  It makes sense. We feel "disheartened" when we are discouraged. And so often discouragement follows on the heels of failure, disappointment, unrealized hopes and dreams (or watching the world and national news!) But to quote the greatest teacher ever, "Take heart!"

We can have courage because of the PAST.
How often I have seen God move in miraculous and profound ways in the past. I have only to read back through old letters and journals to recall memories long forgotten -
Stories of God's faithfulness,
His provision,
His protection,
His enabling.

We can have courage because of God's PROMISES.
He promises never to leave me or forsake me.
I can have courage because I never have to walk alone through the difficulties of life.
He watches over me.
I do not have to fear for my children and grandchildren, knowing that He watches over them!
He loves me.
I have courage to keep going if I feel unloved, devalued or unappreciated.
Because the One who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world,
I do not have to be afraid of world events.

We can have courage because of God's actions in the PRESENT.
Have you noticed the beautiful sunrises lately?
Seeing God's work in the daily moments of life,
in the beauty around me
and in the way He orchestrates the "coincidences" that keep us safe -
are great reminders of His presence now.
I walk with Him and He walks with me.
And I am not afraid.

We can take risks for the FUTURE.
Not foolish, reckless risks -
but stepping out in faith,
moving forward courageously,
putting into action the words of Corrie ten Boom who said,
"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."
I can have courage to try new things,
to let go of familiar things,
and to trust Him for today... and tomorrow... and all the tomorrows after that!

So, today, replace fears with faith.
Live courageously!

Who Cares About the Details?

Last night my husband told me that my blog was wrong! Surprised (and pleased) that he was even reading it,  I asked him what was wrong with it.  He said my profile needed updating, since I'd written that we had 6 (soon to be 7) grandchildren. Of course he was right! We now had 7!  I had blogged about her in my post, "Worth the Wait," but I hadn't changed the details in my profile.

Annika Sophie, made her entrance August 8th. 

Big brother, Stefan, is overjoyed and so proud.

Papa and Mama are happily adjusting to their new little bundle of joy

and giving us lots of Skype time, since they live in Europe. 

I started thinking about details.  Certain people in my family (who will remain unmentioned) are a lot more concerned with details than yours truly, but it is often true that details matter! 

Our God is a God of details... Even down to numbering the very hairs on our heads!

 (Matthew 10:30).

Nothing escapes His watchful eye. 

Psalm 34:15 - "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, 

and his ears are attentive to their cry..." 

Proverbs 15:3  - "The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, 

keeping watch on the wicked and the good."

Not a sparrow falls from the nest without His knowledge.

 (Matthew 10:29).

We are under the watchful eyes of One who knows all about the details. 

Nothing escapes His attention... And He cares!

Nahum 1:7 "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. 

He cares for those who trust in him."

1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on Him, 

for He cares for you."

My help comes from the Lord.

We are living in troubled times.  Terrorists threaten our country, our way of life, and our freedom to worship God in the way we desire. 

The world waits and watches to see how President Obama will respond to these terrorists. Yet, as Christians we know that our help, our strength, our security is not in any man, even the President, but in our God.

Psalm 33:20 Our soul waits for the Lord, He is our help and our shield.

Psalm 31:24 Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life, whom shall I dread?

Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord, be strong and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for the Lord.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 

Psalm 48:1 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised.

Psalm 121:2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heavens and earth.

Envision a country where the leaders are on their knees pleading with God for His favor. Imagine them asking Him for guidance and wisdom. 

We have access to the greatest defense possible – God Himself. Yet we have shunned His help and refused Him access into our lives, our buildings, our businesses, our homes. We have thrown Him out of our schools, our books, and our government. We have gone our own way.

We deny Him, and then we blame Him when things go wrong. We complain when the forces of evil rise up against us and unleash the fury of hell on us. We don’t want evil to win, but we don’t want God either. We want to be our own gods. 

As a nation founded on Biblical principles, can we, will we admit our shortcomings and confess our rebellion against God? Will we turn away from our self-centered absorption with pleasure and convenience and once again stand up against the tidal wave threatening to drown us. Can we, will we repent?  

Will I?

God, have mercy.

Psalm 118:8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.

The Bible records some of the most unusual effective battle strategies that came – not from the wisdom of man – but from the mind of Almighty God. Strategies that showed victory came from God, not man.    Take a few minutes – get into the Word and read about our great God.