Author: astherainandsnow

“Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked.  He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, ‘Stand upright on your feet.’ And he sprang up and began walking. And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, ‘The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!’ Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.  And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, ‘Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.  In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.’ Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.” Acts 14:8-18

An impossible situation, a loud voice, an astounding healing. A lifelong cripple walking was all the impetus needed to bring the spiritually confused to confused and frenzied worship of men they thought gods. Vanity promotes irrationality that affects every sense and impulse. If only they’d turn to the living God for healing of the heart…

Man was made to worship, but sin mismanages his methods. Vain is the one who makes gods in his image, who pays homage to gods who pay homage to his desires. This is the indelible plight of sinners, bent since Eden on the lusts of eye and flesh and pride, save for Christ. Idol worshipers destine themselves to remain spiritual cripples, unable to walk by truth and faith. Wound up in reverence of power, control, and high human thought, they fail to recognize when the Divine breaks through to initiate real life. (Genesis 3:1-6)

Where are we confusing things of vanity with true substance? Where are we living in vain for things of the world rather than embracing real life for vital faith and eternal communion with the Lord? Are there areas of our day to days we’ve secreted onto pedestals out of the Spirit’s reach, pet affections or ambitions we’ve guarded as sacred, never to be touched or altered? Would we ask God for new eyes to recognize the idols we’ve made and worship, and renounce them once for all? Only in surrendering false gods will we come to know the real God, and only He is worthy of allegiance and honor.

Lord, wrench from my heart all that is vain and replace it with vital, vibrant worship of You, the Living God who alone is worthy.

“Again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, “Tell those who are invited, ‘See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.’” But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, “The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.” And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.

“’But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment.  And he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.'” Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus’s parable invited RSVPs to faith, understanding, and surrender. When the king issued summonses for his wedding feast, a celebration of joy-filled covenant commitment, responses betrayed the human condition. Though lavish inclusion was offered, individuals turned it down for busyness, industry, and ambition. Some hard-hearteds rejected with such vehement hatred they extinguished the well-meaning messengers. Squelching the offerer obliterated their responsibility, or so they thought. But turning down the king’s invitation brought eternal regret none could reverse, closing the door to forever communion.

There are a variety of times we shrug off God’s invitations. Daily He beckons us come near to commune with Him, and we find more pressing things to fill our time and attention. In our churches, He presents opportunities to serve Him by serving others, yet we prefer to manage our margins and keep measured our contributions. At work and in our communities, He bids us get involved in His kingdom work, yet we eschew the commitment required. He offers to come alongside, inspire, enable, and refine, but we choose to guard tightly-held agendas and comfort. Even at home, where He invites us to intimacy and edification, we can procrastinate, or let down our guard, or resist substance and fellowship for personal ease, not valuing the feast He’s prepared.

How do I respond to divine invitations? They come as a quickening of the Spirit, a conviction, a pull at the heart, or an obvious opportunity. They might present as an interruption, or a brash command breaking into our quiet status-quo. Can we answer with no regrets?

Where are we resisting God’s voice, doing anything to eliminate accountability? What will we change, eliminate, or do in order to listen more keenly and obey more quickly?

Father, help me accept Your invitations with ready response so Your work is furthered and Your name is honored.

“Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, ‘Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.^‘ And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.'” Genesis 9:8-16

Though He knew that the intention of man’s heart was evil from his youth and all the time, God in mercy made His covenant of salvation with man His beloved. Never again would His world and people be ruined with such destruction as the widespread flood. The crown of His creation would always be the apple of His eye, held in everlasting love and grace. Following the flood of horror and sorrow, and hope, God welcomed Noah into his everlasting safe harbor of salvation. (Genesis 1:26-28; 6:5-7)

The Eternal God and Potentate of Time speaks and stands behind promises that span everlasting. His words pledged thousands of years ago are ours to savor and find security in today. We can trust His nevers as much as His forevers. Never again will we slip under judgment or condemnation because of His sacrifice paid once for all and forever on the cross. Never will He leave or forsake us because He has bound us to Himself in an eternal covenant. No one can ever snatch us from His hand since we are inextricably, everlastingly His children. (Deuteronomy 31:6; John 10:28-29; Romans 8:1; Hebrews 7:27; 1 John 5:20)

We may live in shaky times, but need not quake in fear or fretting, doubt or condemnation. What causes our faith to teeter, our minds to swim and nearly drown in what-if disasters? Where do shame or regret taunt us to forget God’s forgiveness? Will we trust Him to keep His word to protect and redeem? The everlasting God sets His rainbow of divine love over us each day and holds us secure forever.

“Crown him the Lord of years,
the potentate of time,
creator of the rolling spheres,
ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail!
for thou hast died for me;
thy praise shall never, never fail
throughout eternity.” ~Matthew Bridges (1851)

Lord, help me hold fast to Your promises, never to doubt and always to praise Your everlasting word and character.

“All the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel.  So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month.  And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.  And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand, and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand.  And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen,’ lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.  Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places.  They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.” Nehemiah 8:1-8

The people gathered, eager to hear. Ezra read the Law to all who understood. His colleagues flanked him in support. The Levites helped those hungry to make sense of what they heard. All the people blessed the Lord in assent, joy, and humble worship. Attentiveness to God’s irresistible, powerful word evoked natural, unstoppable responses because that word never returns void. (Isaiah 55:10-11)

The word of God is that, a word that beckons, instructs, and necessarily calls for action. It is living, powerful, and effective to move mind, heart, and will. It exposes sin, convicts the conscience, and evokes surrender. It reminds, goads, inspires. How and where are we exposed to its enlightening, corrective, and redemptive light? (Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Timothy 3:16)

What part will I play in attentiveness to God’s word? When do I regularly study it, or take in another’s teaching? How do I respond to its revelations of my Sovereign, and my own heart? How readily do I heed His warnings, instructions, and invitations? How do I support church leaders and preachers by prayer, practical engagement, generosity, encouragement, and selfless obedience? (2 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 13:17)

With whom am I rightly handling the word by wise instruction and thoughtful modeling, helping them understand its meaning and implement application? What new order, direction, and joy has exposure to God’s life-giving Word brought to my life, and how will I express that and advocate for it in others today? How has growing knowledge of God’s word enlarged my thanksgiving, enriched my praise, broadened my outreach? (Nehemiah 8:9-12,17-18; 9:2-6,17-21)

Lord, make all of me attentive to take in, understand, live out, and pass on Your Word, so You are known and magnified.

“The men set out.., and they looked down toward Sodom. Abraham went with them to set them on their way. The Lord said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised. Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry…’

“The men turned… toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord.., drew near and said,’ Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you… not spare it for the fifty..? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked..! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?^‘ The Lord said, ‘If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.’” Genesis 18:16-26

Abraham had been promised a whole nation as heirs from his body with his wife Sarah, yet many miles and decades had passed with no pregnancy. In the course of waiting, now with a set birth time revealed, he is taken into God’s confidence to be taught righteousness and justice that God intended he teach his future offspring. His Lord was training him to esteem and uphold holiness while exercising mercy, not to flirt with or tolerate evil as he led and shaped God’s people. No waiting should be static. All lessons can at some time be applied. (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:5-6; 17:1-2,15-16; 18:14)

The longer we wait on God and the more intent we are to watch and learn His ways, the more impressionable and lasting the lessons we learn. God unfolds history and fulfills promises as He pleases. Coincidentally, through our days, He teaches us how to live presently and what we need to embrace the future. How thoroughly do we take advantage of examples and instruction as we await next steps? (Psalm 27:14)

What can we count on as true in a changing culture and as we age? What are we investing to know and prepare for God’s promises? If we anticipate a move, challenges with work or health, evolving family dynamics or a new service for the Lord, how well do we know God’s viewpoint and practices for those situations? When do we thoughtfully take time to study His Word and ways with men? Do we regularly seek His wisdom in prayer, then practice what He teaches until it becomes second nature? What prudent determination or commitments could we make now so we’ll be wise when we’re called upon to make decisions or act?

Lord, teach me the manners and ways of heaven, so I can live them out here on earth as I prepare to meet You face-to-face. (1 John 3:2)

“Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles and the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. And I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found written in it:

“These were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried into exile. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his town. They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah.

“The number of the men of the people of Israel: the sons of Parosh, 2,172. The sons of Shephatiah, 372. The sons of Arah, 652. The sons of Pahath-moab, namely the sons of Jeshua and Joab, 2,818. The sons of Elam, 1,254.  The sons of Zattu, 845. The sons of Zaccai, 760.  The sons of Binnui, 648.  The sons of Bebai, 628.  The sons of Azgad, 2,322.  The sons of Adonikam, 667.  The sons of Bigvai, 2,067.  The sons of Adin, 655.  The sons of Ater, namely of Hezekiah, 98.” Nehemiah 7:5-21

Nehemiah was a high capacity leader who tended to details both spiritual and practical. Persevering, with prayer, through antagonism and tempted discouragement, he finished rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall and set the gates and guards in place. But projects did not preempt people, and the returning exiles the Lord brought back were to be counted and named. (2 Timothy 2:19)

God of the nations is also God of individuals. He sets His love on us, calling us by name to save us from spiritual exile and slavery to sin. He delivers us from strange affections and false gods. He redeems us from shame behind which we want to hide. He restores our souls. (Isaiah 43:1)

Yet, we can fall into Satan’s trap of deeming ourselves unworthy, unloved, unredeemable. The distance we’ve kept in our heart seems a chasm too great to bridge. We feel isolated, stained, and constantly put ourselves down. When we fail to recognize the love of Christ and to esteem the price He paid to save us, we dishonor His grace.

Do we fall into a drear of being insignificant or unknown? Do we wonder how we can make a difference? We must choose to live in the truth that if we are saved, the Lord God not only knows us by name, but delights in us and involves Himself in sanctifying us day by day. He is intimately interested in all that concerns us, and actively conforms us to His glorious design. Would we take hope in this impetus for joy? Can we delight in our Savior as He does in us? Will we thank Him for his knowledge of everything about us that combines with unconditional love and lavish grace? (Psalm 138:8; Zephaniah 3:17)

And who else has He called to Himself that we could make feel significant? How can we invest ourselves in the lives and stories of others God has put in our path? How might we- with a word, a smile, an hour- bless, encourage, and affirm another of eternal value whom God has named?

Lord, may I bear and value Your name above all, and so love others that they know and honor You. (Psalm 138:2)

“And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night…

“And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and officials and the rest of the people, ‘Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes… God will fight for us.’ So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out.”

“I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials… I said, ‘The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies?..’ 

“From the time that I was appointed to be their governor.., neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor… I did not do so, because of the fear of God. I also persevered in the work on this wall.” Nehemiah 4:8-9,14,20b-21a; 5:6-7a,9,14b-16

Nehemiah knew and feared his Lord, staking both drive and dependence on God’s sovereign plan and care. His impetus to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem persisted through opposition because of his passion for God and His honor. His assessments, planning, strategy, perseverance, and treatment of others were all rooted in reverence for and confidence in the Almighty he sought to obey. He proved that the fear of God has great impact on the direction, decisions, and doing in His children’s lives. (Nehemiah 1:3-6; 2:17-20)

The fear of God causes us to pause rather than panic, and seek Him for the way forward. It is the defense against worry at bad news, and the ground of dependence each step forward. It guards our hearts, steels our resolve, and guides our minds. (Psalm 112:6-7; Proverbs 9:10; Philippians 4:6-7)

The fear of God keeps us focused in any work. It ensures that efforts are spent for the good of others and glory of God rather than for personal accomplishment or accolades. It reminds us of our ends and whose honor is at stake.

The fear of God loosens our hold on things of this earth. It keeps warm the heart and reasonable our decisions about what’s at our disposal. It moves us to compassion and generosity, exchanging personal rights for honorable, equitable, and benevolent treatment of others.

The fear of God keeps us going through hard times and pesky deterrents. It reinforces determination and clarifies opportunities to trust. It is a healthy, trustworthy foundation, and a banner of witness that points others to notice Him.

In what situations at work or service are we peppered with confusion? What plots of suspicion, angst, or resentment work against our relationships? How do we respond to temptations to special treatment, or the unjust treatment of others? Where do we secure our hope, wisdom, fortitude, and direction? The world offers many voices and choices, but rooting ourselves in the fear of God keeps us steady.

Father, forge my will and ways in genuine, joyful fear of You, for Your glory.

“God remembered Noah and all the beasts and livestock that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided. The fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained, and the waters receded from the earth continually. At the end of 150 days the waters had abated, and… the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. The waters continued to abate until… the tops of the mountains were seen.

“At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made and sent forth a raven. It went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. Then he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground. But the dove found no place to set her foot, and she returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her and brought her into the ark with him. He waited another seven days, and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark.  And the dove came back to him in the evening, and behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf.” Genesis 8:1-11

“[Jesus] awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm… And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’” Mark 4:39,41

The eternal God who in the beginning hovered over the chaos of deep and darkness is the God who rules the wind. As wind blows to stoke fire and upturn water, to whorl sand and dirt and to clean the air and dry floods, the might and majesty of the Almighty’s power is displayed. At His word, at His invisible hand, all nature obeys. (Genesis 1:1-2)

Through life we experience a myriad of gusts, storms, and tempests that jar our world and test the soul. Unsettled, blown off balance, moved against our will, whipped with sting, we might wonder at the what and why. When we realize that God orders and measures the winds we experience, we can lean against His omniscient power, take shelter in His love and grace, and trust His sovereign and purposeful ends. He works all things for our providential good, and His plans will not be thwarted. (Job 42:2; Romans 8:28)

Where do we feel buffeted by strong winds of difficulty, sorrow, or change? Are we reeling without anchor, or buttressed within the gale by the Lord’s love and care? Is there an area of life we’d welcome a fresh blow of encouragement, inspiration, or hope? Are we courageous enough to walk into the wind and find Him there? The God of weather is our God today.

“When peace like a river attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
‘It is well, it is well with my soul.'” ~Horatio Stafford (1873)

Lord, have Your way with the winds and with me, to Your ends and glory.

“About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword,  and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also… And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

“When Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, ‘Get up quickly.’ And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, ‘Dress yourself and put on your sandals… Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.’ And he went out and followed him… When they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him… 

“When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate… But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed.” Acts 12:1-9a,10,12-14,16

Ministry for Christ and opposition toward His teachings and people were intensifying. As more and more came to believe and be transformed and healed, the more religious and political leaders felt threatened and grew in antagonism and violence toward the early church. The shock and pain over James’ death and Peter’s imprisonment drove the church to earnest prayer for Peter. What they prayed, we don’t know, but we do know that God responded and they were amazed.

When we pray with earnest thought and trusting surrender, God directs our intercession and often answers in unusual or unexpected ways. His Spirit might lead us to beseech Him for deliverance, or for patience, endurance, and effective witness in the difficult captivity. We might ask for healing, or for new intimacy with the Lord in the illness. We might plead for a desired fulfillment, when the Lord wants to fill the void with Himself. (Acts 12:21-24)

How intentional are we in prayer? When, where, and how do we commune with God? Do we wisk wishes toward the skies, or bow and focus, asking according to His character, promises, and will? When prayer is all about us, we won’t expect great things from God. But when we’re immersed in the Lord, we’ll stand on tiptoe to watch Him answer.

Lord, keep me earnest in prayer and ever amazed not that You answer, but how, so I may magnify Your glory.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth… the holy city… coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’

“And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new… It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment… I will be his God and he will be my son…

“The city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it,.. —and there will be no night there… Nothing unclean will ever enter it,.. but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Revelation 21:1-7,22-27

“In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ it shall be said, ‘Children of the living God.'”

“I will have mercy on No Mercy,
    and I will say to Not My People, ‘You are my people.’” Hosea 1:10b; 2:23

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” 1 John 3:2-3

In Revelation, the promises of scripture meet the culmination of time in exquisite tension and certain hope. What will be is sure, completed in heaven not yet on earth, and the present is identified by the participles of purifying and waiting, knowing what is to come. Thus, the life marked in Christ is one replete with continual sanctification and vibrant faith and joy.

For Christians, Immanuel is with us presently and will one day be with us more fully than we can now imagine. When planning for a day, a year, a purposeful life, how does this affect and direct our mindset? What does the Spirit’s power, love, and victory mean for us now? Knowing that one day there will be no tears, regrets, frustration, nor longings unmet, what difference does unshakable hope make in present grief, discouragement, and suffering? How can it lift our heads above hard circumstances? (Psalm 3:3)

How deliberately do we hold onto future promises? Do they squelch efforts at growth by instilling complacency, or compel us to holiness? In what practical ways are we demonstrating what is to come- by obedience, Christ-likeness, hope in the face of difficulties?

What ongoing sanctification is taking place, working its way into attitude, speech, relationships, choices made for the immediate and future? Where is God calling me to new repentance, deeper trust, or fuller surrender?

Lord, certain of Your promises, help me live zealously, hopefully, and like Jesus, so You are magnified.