The sun dips low.
Forever gone this day,
and I must let daylight go.
Even though I wish it to stay.
But I know the one who loves me,
He will go with me through the night.
The promise of Resurrection Morning—
The coming of endless light.
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 5:5 NIV
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10 NIV
If you knew the gift of God,
The forgiveness His life has won.
No darkness can prevail
over the grace through Christ that’s come.
Sing with joy for His redemptive power.
Mighty songs of those washed clean.
Smashing chains of fear and sorrow
Led forth in peace serene…
if you knew
Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. Psalm 98:1 NIV
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12 NIV
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. Revelation 22:1
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
love and faithfulness go before you.
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim (shout praise to) you,
who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.
They rejoice in your name all day long;
they celebrate your righteousness.” Psalm 89:14-16
Learning to acclaim Jesus allows me to walk in the light of His presence, and rejoice in His name all day long.
Jesus, my creator.
Jesus, my redeemer.
Jesus, my protector.
Jesus, my shepherd.
Jesus, my king.
Jesus, my counselor.
Jesus, my righteousness.
Jesus, my rock.
Jesus, my Alpha and Omega.
Jesus, my peace.
Jesus, my Lord forever.
Praise God!
How can you say creation is beautiful if you don’t believe there is a creator?
“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.” Psalm 19:1
Light on a hill
Where there looms fear,
There is need for drawing close to God.
Where there is no fear,
We invest little in prayer.
Where there is grief,
There is need for hope.
Where there is no sorrow,
We grip tightly to the present instead of Jesus.
Where there is doubt.
There is a need for faith
Where doubt does not exist,
There is little need to exercise faith.
Where there is love and forgiveness,
There is passionate devotion.
Where there is no love there is indifference,
and indifference makes the heart grow hard.
Where there is horrid ugliness
There is a longing for innocence.
Where people accept the grotesque,
There is no desire for salvation.
All the doubt, the fear, the sorrow, the ugliness does not show the absence of God, but quite to the contrary … Shows our need for Him.
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world. – Jesus John 16:33
The moon playing “hide and seek,” Alaska inland passage.
If you have ever played “hide and seek” then you probably said this and complained mightily if someone didn’t follow the rules. In fact, throughout life, we all want to be treated fairly… it is built into our humanity. Jesus speaks to this point in the Sermon on the Mount:
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. Matthew 5:6 NLT
Justice is something we have to hunger and thirst for… to work at diligently, and we are told we will be blessed by God if we do. Unfortunately, we have hungered for other things letting justice be put on the shelf. We hunger for power, wealth, pleasure and security. Justice gets twisted into “what I want.” We substitute what is good for me and my family, rather than what is right and good for our neighbor. Black Lives Matter is a cry for justice (don’t be sidetracked by certain people’s breaking and looting that’s wrong and evil and co-opts the call for justice). When Jesus returns He will bring truth, justice and judgement. On that day will Jesus find we have turned away from our neighbors cries for justice, or did we hunger and thirst for justice?
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. Matthew 23:23 NIV
If we have knowledge of justice as children playing “hide and seek,” how can we neglect working to act justly as Christ’s followers?
Sunset over Arches National Park.
In the desert of coronavirus:
In the desert,
the heat shrivels up life.
In the desert,
only doubts form in the salty flats.
In the desert,
your trust in God begins to wilt.
In the desert,
love dries up and cracks.
In the desert,
you fight the thoughts of dying.
In this pandemic remember:
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
they make it a place of springs; Psalm 84:5-6
Take heart with God’s help, we can make this calamity place of springs.
So beautiful and good
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
In Jesus I have good works prepared by God for me to do… how wonderful is that knowledge.
Obviously the good is determined by God not me. Which is reassuring because I have a tendency to choose temporary earthly pleasures over eternal goodness and true joy.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
Yes, in Jesus my life will be good, pleasing and perfect, and He will never leave me to do otherwise.
Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. Psalm 31:16
Stephen L Hufman 