God Is Faithful

Psalm 33:4-5 (New International Version)

 ⁴ For the word of the LORD is right and true; 
       he is faithful in all he does.

 ⁵ The LORD loves righteousness and justice; 
       the earth is full of his unfailing love.

I had an interesting day today.  I received an email at work today from someone I hardly know but somehow have been placed on his email list.  He forwarded an article from a blog of an organization that wants to "take back America."  As you can imagine, the email was quite lengthy and quite angry.  It blamed pastors for preaching on comfort in touch times, rather that that Christians should get together and fight for what is Biblically sound and right.

While I believe that we should not always sit back and "turn the other cheek", I do feel strongly that God is faithful and just; and God will have the last word in this world.  We are on this earth for a lifetime that is nothing but a blink of the eye of God.  God wants us to trust and obey him, and worship and praise his name while we are here on earth.  So what does that mean for us exactly?

So, back to the article...I was disturbed by this.  We are never promised that life will be easy.  What we are promised is that God is with us always and that if we trust and believe in him, we will life forever with him in heaven.  So as I've said before, knowing this gives me the strength and courage to face and endure all of life's valleys.  I have HOPE that God is with me and is going to welcome me to my eternal home with open arms.

So whether we fight, or just rely on the comfort of God's promises, may we do all in God's name and to his glory!

Watch this great video of talented artists singing "So Great."

A Time to Dance

Happy New Year everyone from Lifeline Ministries!  Here is your new devotion...the last one of 2009.

Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

When I read this passage, I first think of the Footloose movie with Kevin Bacon.  He quoted this passage to convince the town's leaders that it was time to get beyond the tragic events of the past and move forward with healing to allow the young people to hold an organized dance to celebrate life.

After I move beyond that fond memory, I think about new beginnings.  Life is full of new beginnings.  Thank God that he has allowed these little gifts in life to help us to continue on.  I think of how God provided the season of Spring to give us hope that there is life after Winter!  God has also given us events such as re-connecting with long-lost friends or relatives; or opportunities for personal, mental, spiritual, financial or professional growth; or the miracle of new life in a new-born baby or the extension of life through the amazing recovery from a life-threating health issue such as cancer.

Most importantly, God has sent us his Son, Jesus Christ, to bring us new life through the power of his death on the cross.  Forgiveness is a beautiful thing.  No matter whether you are on the giving or receiving end, forgiveness has the power to heal.

May God bless you in 2010 and may He turn our mourning into dancing!

Listen to this great worship "Mourning Into Dancing" and think of how God has given you a new beginning and then think of a brand new change you'd like to have in your life and ask God to be with you the entire length of that journey.

Blessings,

Justin Ehrman