Chapter 31: No More Tears!

Can you remember a time in your life that you were so hurt, you couldn’t stop the tears?  Maybe this hurt was so deep that even after a long time, tears may come to your eyes just by remembering!

In Revelation 21:4 we are assured that God “wipes” away old things. That word means “to erase.”

Verse 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Now that it’s very close to Thanksgiving, what an amazing gift to be thankful for! Through God’s grace, He gives an eternal home to those who have believed and obeyed.

We might find it hard to understand such love.  After all, haven’t we failed Him so many times?  How can He accept ME, with all my hurts, failures and sinful nature?

God will take from us all the heavy burden of our hurts, habits, failures, feelings, and sins.   All we have to do is surrender and obey.

At the end of “the story”,  what a relief it is to understand that old things will pass away, and “he will wipe away every tear”.

Judy Lambert

Chapter 29: Paul- A Personality for Christ!

What characteristics of Paul should we strive for in our own lives?

We can take note of Paul’s personality and Christian characteristics as he traveled from place to place.  Paul accomplished his mission in teaching, correcting and encouraging Christians, speaking to all who would listen.   His personal characteristics are those that we as Christians would be wise to imitate:

Paul………………

trusted that God would take care of his every need, rejoiced always, prayed continually,  witnessed God’s power in peoples’ lives,  was humble, full of faith, and was not ashamed of the gospel.

He urged all of us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God as our true offer of worship, and for all Christians to live in peace, love and harmony.

Paul was zealous for the cause of Christ and helped to form an almost globe-spanning distribution of the gospel.

The characteristics of a “personality for Christ” has never and will never need updating.  What a wonderful goal!  When Christ is our Savior, He will empower us through His Holy Spirit to do good, to effect change in our lives, to help others, and to make our life count…………just like Paul.

Judy Lambert

Chapter 28: A Chosen Instrument

Acts 9:15     But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.”

We read in the book of  Acts that Saul (later re-named Paul) breathed “murderous threats” against the Lord’s disciples.  He looked for men and women who were followers of Christ and put them in prison.  He approved the stoning death of  Stephen,……and yet……he was God’s  “chosen instrument”.

God chose Saul (Paul) who had a strong personality and the conviction to do what he thought was right.  Even though Saul was doing harm to Christ’s followers, God chose this man to do what  He needed accomplished.   It didn’t seem to matter that he was  going the opposite direction!

It makes me wonder– what sort of “instrument” am I?    Am I willing to change my direction for God’s purposes?

Some folks may be chosen instruments for teaching, some for encouraging and helpfulness, and maybe some are chosen just for peace.  Whatever our talent, may all of us remain willing to be used as an instrument for God’s purposes.

Judy Lambert

Chapter 27: Doubting Thomas, Doubting Me.

I believe that Jesus lived and died.

I believe that Jesus rose from the dead.

I believe that God has the power to do all things, so why can’t I consistently put ALL THINGS in His hands and leave it there?

John 20:27     Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

I must admit that had I lived during those days,  I may very well have been like Thomas.  I end up always wanting “proof”.  I want to see a “sign”.  I want to “help God out” by arranging to ‘fix it’ myself.

John 20:29  Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Seeking God through His Word and developing a close relationship with Him will stop our unbelief and doubts.

Mark 11:23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.

Abundant blessings await those who believe and do not doubt!

Judy Lambert

Ch 26: Not My Will, But God’s…..Help Me Let Go!

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”  Luke 22:42 (NIV)

Have you ever been at place where you wanted to do God’s will so badly but somewhere in the depths of your soul you struggled and said, “Yes Lord, I want to submit to your plan, but can we just change a few things?”

We want to follow His plan but it is hard when His plan doesn’t make sense to us or if it causes pain.

In the various accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion we can see the humanity of our Savior. He knew the Father’s plan for his life, yet in the last hours He asked His Father to change the plan if possible. I can completely identify with wanting to submit to the will of God but desperately wanting things to change.  I want to “help God out” by trying to fix it myself.

I don’t know where you are in your faith, but I want my faith to be as real in a crisis as it is when I am celebrating His greatness.   Sometimes, I fear saying “thy will be done”.  However, I know what to do.  Seek Jesus.  He promises I am not alone. He understands what I am feeling.  I believe, but He can help me overcome my unbelief.  He is with me.  His plan is perfect.

I just need to trust, and ask Him.

He can help me let go.

Judy Lambert