The Gospel, The Good News 9 of 41

The Glory of God 

God created me so that I might Glorify Him by finding my very delight in Him, and by joyfully obeying Him in everything i do, and think. 

Romans 11:36

For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

1 Corinthians 10:31

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself also in the Lord,

And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Deuteronomy 5:28-29

Then the Lord heard the voice of your words when you spoke to me, and the Lord said to me: ‘I have heard the voice of the words of this people which they have spoken to you. They are right in all that they have spoken. Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!

Download the Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent

Hope in Sorrow

1 Thessalonians 1:13-1

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

Death is a very real part of life that happens to all of us. It is a subject we don’t like to talk about very much as it brings memories of loss and sorrow to the surface. Because it is a fact of life, we are all affected by it.

Just the other day as I opened up to Facebook, I was hit once again with the unexpected tragedy of a family we knew. As missionaries living over seas, and many times out of touch with the lives of people back in the country of origin, it still brings pain knowing that many of our friends are going through this tragedy. We are suffering with them even though it is across an ocean. Pain has no borders. We only wish we could be there to personally share in the grief and be a comforting presence. We know our extended Family is sharing in the grief, and we know it is hard, but we do have  hope. Praising God through the grief that we will one day see our loved ones again.

As a follower of Jesus, Paul tells us that we should not sorrow as others who have no hope. Paul says that if we (and they) believe that Jesus died and rose again, we will see our loved ones again. We have this hope. Yes, we do sorrow, but with hope. We miss seeing those we love that have passed into eternity, and we can look forward to seeing them again.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

A friend wrote this on a blog: How do we still our shattered hearts?

With the Word. Psalm 46 is a great place to camp out during any time of trouble to focus on Who God is:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (vs.1 ESV).

Because God is our refuge and strength...

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. (vs. 2-3)

The weight of grief can feel like the earth is giving way under our feet, that our sorrow is more than we can bear, like we are drowning in the roaring foam of the sea. But, our God is here holding us up and giving us strength, courage and grace in the midst of it all.

As we still our broken hearts, may these words of our heavenly Father bring comfort, peace, and strength:

"You are My servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off"; 

fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;

 I will strengthen you. I will help you, 

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, 

"Fear not, I am the one who helps you"

(Isaiah 40:10, 13 ESV, emphasis mine).

With a broken heart, I cling to Christ.      Read the full article at: When Life Hits Us Hard, God Hugs Us Tighter

New Every Morning

David wrote this towards the end of his life.

A Song of God’s Majesty and Love
145 A praise of David.
I will exalt you, my God, O king,
and I will bless your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless you
and praise your name forever and ever.
Great is Yahweh, and very worthy of praise,
and his greatness is unsearchable.
One generation will laud your works to another,
and will declare your mighty deeds.
On the splendor of the glory of your majesty,
and on your wonderful deeds, I will meditate.
And they will speak of the power of your awesome deeds,
and I will tell of your greatness.
They will utter  the renown of your abundant goodness,
and they will proclaim with joy your righteousness.
Yahweh is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and great in loyal love.
Yahweh is good to all,
and his mercies are over all his works.
All your works will praise you, O Yahweh,
and your faithful ones will bless you.
They will speak of the glory of your kingdom,
and talk of your power,
to make known to the children of humankind his mighty deeds,
and the glory of the majesty of his kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
Yahweh upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look hopefully to you,
and you give them their food in due time,
opening your hand,
and satisfying the desire of every living creature.
Yahweh is righteous in all his ways,
and loyal in all his works.
Yahweh is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;
he also hears their cry for help, and saves them.
Yahweh protects all those who love him,
but all the wicked he will exterminate.
My mouth will speak the praise of Yahweh,
and all flesh will bless his holy name
forever and ever.