In my life feelings have their way,
when they’re up—I’m up
when they’re down—I’m down.
Sometimes they go in opposite directions.
That’s why God has me walk by faith and not sight.
To make feelings follow…
instead of lead.
Jesus is my source of joy not my feelings.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2:10
Merry Christmas
I took this photograph not realizing someone was watching me. It was not until I came home and looked closely at the photograph that I saw the bobcat watching me from behind a tree. It is the same for life. Many times we face trials feeling we are alone, that God is attending to others things or doesn’t care. But we are wrong, and only when we get home will we see that the Lord was watching over us the whole time.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:3-4
Merry Christmas
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32
I can’t hold nor completely understand the Love of God in Jesus Christ. What I can do is praise Him for the glory He has shown me.
I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you. Psalm 63:2-5
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
O Lord, you preserve both man and beast.
How priceless is your unfailing love! Psalms 36:6-7
I find even these psalms do not do justice to the love we have in Jesus. But like the seals in the photo, that doesn’t stop the fullness of His love being poured out to me. Truly, His love is better than life.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever. Psalm 118:1
This verse repeats frequently throughout the Psalms. Two reasons for this come to mind. First the psalmist wants to emphasize that God is good and you can trust Him. Secondly His love is endless and doesn’t fluctuate. I need to hear this over and over because I am like a child awakening from a bad dream—I need repeated reassurance from the Lord God. So read the rest of Psalm 118 it is one of my favorites and when you come to the end, you’ll discover your own pot-of-gold.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever. Psalm 118:29
Hope is knowing of wonder yet to be seen.
Of rivers, of mountains covered in green.
Hope is scent of joy yet to come,
Of love in a family together as one.
Hope is courage in this covid blight.
Hope is God’s hand holding me tight.
Enduring great trials hope will sustain,
When anchored upon God’s holiest name.
So I can rejoice even in sorrow,
For hope assures of a better tomorrow.
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15
Therefore, we who have fled to him (Jesus) for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:18-20
Words can send a blessing.
The same words can send a curse.
I love you is a blessing.
I love you if… a hidden curse.
Words can tell the truth.
The same words can be a lie.
Often we don’t know which is which,
Only time will break the tie.
How do you avoid being taken in?
Caught in a sugary trance.
Look at the fruit in their life,
Good fruit is not by chance.
-by Stephen Hufman
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Matthew 7:15-23
An anxious heart weighs a man down,
but a kind word cheers him up. Proverbs 12:25
The pandemic and the election have weighed us all down with anxiety. So here is a kind word from the Word to cheer us up.
When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
your love, O Lord, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought joy to my soul. Psalm 94:18-19
This verse reminds me of the 1967 R&B song by Jackie Wilson: “Your love keeps lifting me (higher and higher)” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzDVaKRApcg
So — “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7
Finally,
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
I can scale the wall of glory
once there they’ll want my story.
I just need a little more effort,
a little more time.
From the heights I will survey,
proud of climbing my own way.
All with a little more effort,
a little more time.
There are some trade-offs, some compromises
little things some sacrifices,
but in the end it’ll be all mine.
Given a little more effort,
a little more time.
When I get there what will be said?
a eulogy of the dead—if only he had…
a little more effort,
and little more time.
—poem by Stephen Hufman
Unless the Lord builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.
In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves. Psalm 127:1-2
But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15
To understand what “abounding in love and faithfulness” means, look at the prayer of Jonah.
The engulfing waters threatened me,
the deep surrounded me;
seaweed was wrapped around my head.
To the roots of the mountains I sank down;
the earth beneath barred me in forever.
But you brought my life up from the pit,
O Lord my God.
Jonah 2:5-6
Jonah learned the greatness of God’s compassion and grace through his desperate ordeal. So it is for us when we go through our own travails. When I wander like Jonah of old, God’s compassion seeks me out and swallows me. In His abounding love, He rescues me from the folly of my actions. Thankfully, God’s faithfulness and love are not negated by my unfaithfulness. Though I plunge into the darkest depths of the ocean, I know He will be there with me, and I can trust my Lord God to forgive me and bring me safely to shore.
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:22-24
Each day is new with God. His mercy and compassions are new and completely sterling. My old life is washed away replaced by Jesus my Lord and savior.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17
I wish I had the words to convey how blessed life is knowing your past is forgiven and redeemed, and your future is secure in Jesus. He will even give you help to live for Him… it gives peace to this day like nothing else can do.
Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. Psalm 84:10
Stephen L Hufman 