Category: Jesus

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Wishful Nonsense, or Proof of the Resurrection? Hope Series #27

I waited on purpose to post an Easter blog until after the Day. It’s such a busy time of church programs and family gatherings, and good messages coming from everywhere. But if you’re like me, you might need a little something after the celebration dies down and you’re coming off the high. When we’re exhausted from all the busyness, that’s when we need to be reminded it’s not just a feel-good story, but a miraculous, impossibly true event, worth staking our lives on.

On Easter our pastor was talking about what we need to do to keep on walking in our Christian faith, even after the first glow is over. We read from Luke 24: the women went with more spices for Jesus’ body and discovered He wasn’t there! Angels told them Jesus had risen from the dead, just as He had predicted. So they ran to tell the disciples:

“When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others…But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense” (Luke 24:9, 11).

There were two who decided to go and see. “Peter…got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened” (Luke 24:1-11). John, however, “who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed” (John 20:8).

To imagine that anyone could live again—after such brutal torture, suffering death on a cross, wrapped in 75-100 pounds of spices, locked in a tomb sealed by a heavy stone, with guards posted outside for three days—takes a lot of faith. It seems like nonsense—too good to be true.

That’s what the writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 11:1-2: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” The “ancients” he refers to are the prophets, who never got to see the fulfillment of everything they preached. Yet they held firm that what God said was true. So much so, that they were willing to die for those beliefs.

That’s exactly what the disciples ended up doing, because they saw Jesus in person. Not just once or twice, but numerous times over a period of 40 days of fellowship and instruction, before He returned to heaven. However, since Jesus knew only first century Christians would have the luxury of seeing Him in person, He prayed for us ahead of time:

“My prayer is not for [the disciples] alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message” (John 17:20, emphasis added). “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

What about you? Do you struggle to accept what you’ve heard from others who’ve experienced the love and power of the risen Christ personally? Does the resurrection sound like nonsense, like wishful thinking and fairytales? Even Jesus’ disciples thought so at first, until they saw the evidence. Their Friday turned to Sunday and they spent the rest of their lives declaring this truth to everyone they met. They turned the world upside down with the miraculous news that Jesus is God. He died for our sins; He rose again; and He is reigning at the right hand of the Father until the time is right for Him to take His people home.

I think my favorite Easter song this year has been “Sunday is Coming” by Phil Wickham. For every one of our “Black Fridays” of life, we have hope, because Jesus rose from the dead on Easter morning!

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God is THE Promise Keeper: Hope Series #26

My dad died unexpectedly on January 26. I’m missing him. He was 90 and could no longer read, or drive, or teach Sunday school, since his stroke last Christmas Eve. But Dad was back to playing pickle ball three times a week, and lifting weights for two. His sense of humor was quick and sharp, and our times together were sweet. But it ended rather quickly.

My husband was just recovering from a double hernia surgery. A week into his healing my mom was rushed to the hospital and had her own emergency surgery. So, my sisters and I were taking turns staying with Dad. I brought Mom home from the hospital on Tuesday. On Thursday Dad and I had just walked over to play pickle ball when he sat on the stairs in terrible pain. I didn’t know what to do! We called an ambulance which came and took him to the ER. There they discovered he had an inoperable tear in his aorta, originating at his heart.

God gave us time to gather and say goodbye as Dad slowly slipped away. It was heart wrenching, but glorious too. Pain, of course, is awful, and it’s agonizing to watch the transition from life to death. But with the assurance he could still hear us, we talked to Dad and each other, prayed, and sang about our life in Jesus, until God took him home.

What does this have to do with God’s promises? A LOT. One definition of hope is “the absolute expectation of coming good.” And I am absolutely positive there is a lot of good coming in heaven! I’m looking forward to seeing my dad again , as well as other loved ones who have already died. And I have hope for good in this life too, as God works out all the details of every challenge I face here and now.

There is only One whose promises are completely trustworthy—the Lord God Almighty. No one can hinder Him, nor can circumstances thwart His plans. God is faithful; we can trust Him. The past gives proof for our coming hope.

God watches over the death of the saints (His followers) with tender compassion. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants” (Psa. 116:15).

He promises an inheritance of good for generation after generation of those who choose to follow Him. “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments” (Deut. 7:9).

He will protect us from Satan’s attempts to tempt and discourage us. “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one” (2 Thess. 3:3).

He promises to be our strength when we are weak (which is every day!) and be with us on the journey. “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it” (1 Thess. 5:24).

Best of all, Jesus promised that death is not the end. When a believer dies, they simply moves to their forever home with Jesus, who said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11:25-26).

Have people broken their promises to you? Even those you thought were Christians? People will let us down—they get sick, change their minds, or things happen beyond their control. But look what Jesus said about life and death and eternity in the Bible. Read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and see how Jesus kept His word to His followers, and what He predicted about the life to come. You can be sure that Jesus will never break His promises.

He is our faithful God. I hope you enjoy this song by the same title.

“Faithful God’, We Are They

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It’s Not Enough to Just Believe

Tis the season for Hallmark, plus a wide range of other Christmas movies old and new. Some are based on the actual reason we celebrate Christmas, but most are either crazy humor or fluffy sentiment. I like a mix of all. But I’m disturbed by the sweet-sounding advice we get from more and more movies and songs, especially at Christmas, that everything will work out if we “just believe.” “Have faith,” they say, and the “magic” will happen.

I can “just believe” I’m a giraffe, but that’s doesn’t make me one. I can “just believe” I will win the lottery, but that doesn’t mean I will (especially since I’ve never bought a ticket). I can have faith in Christmas “magic,” but that is not based in reality.

What we must know about believing, faith, hope, and trust, is that there must be an object worthy to put our faith in. There must be evidence to convince us someone or something is trustworthy and dependable, and won’t let us down. Hanging our hopes on thin air is not enough.

I believe in my husband because he proves himself every day—evidenced by his affection, commitment, faithfulness to me, and investment in our relationship. I can lean into that.

I believe in God even more, because He has proven faithful not just to me, but to millions of others throughout history. Even if my husband should fail me and break my trust, I can always hope in God, who never breaks His promises.

I once heard faith in God compared to the confidence we put in a chair when we sit down and lean back in it with our full weight. So often we approach God as if we’re unsure of His qualifications to hold us up. We tentatively perch on the edge of His lap, expecting He will get up and leave before we can settle in, or collapse on us at any moment. But that’s not what I see in scripture, in the world around me, or in my own life.

God loves it when we nestle into Him expecting Him to follow through:

The Lord delights in those who fear [respect, honor] him,
    who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Ps. 147:11, my note in brackets

Psalm 146 gives us twelve reasons why God is worthy of our hope and it just occurred to me that these reasons could be called The Twelve Hopes of Christmas:

[The generations] speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
    and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

They tell of the power of your awesome works—
    and I will proclaim your great deeds.
7 They celebrate your abundant goodness
    and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and rich in love.

9 The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.

Ps. 146:5-9, emphasis mine

  1. Splendor—We see evidence of God’s majestic glory when the sky lights up with a sunrise or sunset, drive through snow covered mountains, or watch the powerful waves of the ocean.
  2. Wonderful Works—Hope rises when we ponder the changed lives around us, His miraculous rescues, and provision.
  3. Power—God not only cares, but has power to elicit change.
  4. Great Deeds—Like my husband, God’s actions confirm His commitment to us.
  5. Abundant Goodness—God is good; it is His character, baked into the heart of who He is.
  6. Righteousness—God always does the right thing, because He has the perspective of eternity, which we do not have.
  7. Gracious—His gracious kindness is not just a polite act God puts on for company; we can be assured He will always be the same.
  8. Compassionate—We may feel compassion when we witness suffering up close, but then quickly forget and go on our way. God’s compassion does not forget.
  9. Slow to Anger—How quickly we get angry at others in traffic, when they make cutting remarks about us, or fail to appreciate us. But God sees our motivations and our heart, and gives us chance after chance to come to Him.
  10. Rich in Love—Love is in the air at Christmas, but for the most part it’s emotional and short-lived. God’s love is unconditional—based not on our character, but on His.
  11. Good to All—Scripture reminds us that God sends rain on the just and the unjust. He provides food for all. His offer of salvation is open to everyone. He does not play favorites.
  12. Compassionate to All—Finally, God’s compassion is poured out to each of us. He cares for every person He has created, and wants to give each of us a hope and a future.

Hang your hopes on Jesus this Christmas, and all year round. Lean into Him and give Him your dreams. Let Him care for your needs. For Christmas this year, give Him your heart and believe He is not just a baby in the manger, but our Lord and King, our Savior, and Redeemer.

He came as Immanuel—”God is With Us” by King and Country.

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Too Young to Die

I had planned to post a different article today for my Hope Series, but right now, I just need to talk.

This morning I learned that searchers found the body of our twenty-one-year-old friend, who’s been missing for three weeks, floating in the Bay. We’ve prayed diligently every day for his safe return, since he left home. I know his mom and brother have been going out of their minds with worry and fear.

This is exactly why I began the series in the first place. Hopelessness and despair has a grip on people young and old. We have lost our anchor.

Life is hard. We all have days when we wonder how we’ll ever recover from the blow that has taken us down. But when we turn to God, we recover. I don’t know how it’s possible sometimes, but we do. It doesn’t happen quickly, and it’s not always pretty along the way, but we do recover. We even smile and laugh and love again, when we thought we never would.

We rise from the ashes of war, abuse, divorce, addiction, bankruptcy, and incarceration. With Christ. He is the anchor that holds us steady through the storm and keeps us from drifting into despair. In this world of grief and suffering He is our only Hope.

I’m a bit of a mess myself today. I’m sad, and so very angry. He died too young! I keep picturing this young man as he was when I saw him last–vibrant, in love with Jesus, curious, and mischievous. I pray he reached for Jesus in his last moments, who I am confident was there, reaching out to him.

I want the anguish to stop! For people to turn to God, and let Him heal their wounds and guide them through the messes and heartaches of life like only He can.

My soul is in deep anguish.
    How long, Lord, how long?

Turn, Lord, and deliver me;
    save me because of your unfailing love.

 I am worn out from my groaning.

All night long I flood my bed with weeping
    and drench my couch with tears.

 The Lord has heard my cry for mercy;
    the Lord accepts my prayer.

Psalm 6:3-4, 6, 9

God hears our cries and He cares about our pain. If you have been thinking about ending your own life please, please understand that this is not the answer. And your death will leave so much heartache for those left without you. Reach out for Jesus instead. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know what to say. He knows your heart. I He will help you through.

Do not choose death. Choose life with Jesus. Let Him ease your suffering and bring you joy.

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One Hope for Everyone, Everywhere: Hope Series #19

When my big sister told me there was only one way to vacuum the living room, I balked. In fact, instead of following her systematic method, I instantly wanted to do it in the most random pattern possible. Isn’t that how we often react. When someone tells us there is only one way to do something, or a single correct answer to a problem, we immediately want to rebel.

We like to have choices. We like multiple food options—steak, sushi, seafood, ice cream, salad, vegan, fast food. We want to decide how we work best—in an office or outdoors, fast-paced or laid back, brain or brawn. And we like to wear comfortable clothes that express our personality—jeans and t’s, suit and tie, flowy bohemian or dressy casual. So, it’s understandable that we might not agree there is just ONE way to heaven—one God, one faith, one truth.

King David described God this way: “You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations. The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy” (Ps. 65:5-8, NIV, emphasis mine).  

David wrote this at a time when most Jews were not excited about sharing their God with the rest of the world. Yet, over and over in the Old Testament, God declares that He alone is the answer for everyone, everywhere.

God spoke to His people through the prophet Jeremiah, “This is what the LORD says: ‘stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it’” (Jer. 6:16). Many people still respond the same way.

Are you one of them?

We encounter crossroads, decision points, all the time. And we ask: Which way should I go? The ancient path—the one paved in Truth—never changes. It doesn’t need to be updated to be relevant. The tools we use to study the Bible may change, but not the Truth it contains. God promises if we will choose His way, and walk it out day by day, we will find rest for our souls.

Jesus said this about himself, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6, NKJV, emphasis mine).

His bold declaration made a lot of people angry. It still does. Who was Jesus to claim He was the only way to God? The only pathway to heaven? Jesus also said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matt. 7:13-14).

After Jesus rose from the dead, His disciple, Peter, testified to a bunch of religious leaders. They had issues with Jesus’ claim as the only way to God. Peter said, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Not Buddha, not Allah, not Nature, or any other god.

I urge you to find out who Jesus is—the historical and biblical figure who spoke for God, as God, and proved Himself to be God, by rising from the dead. The question is, will you believe it? Will you receive Him? Or will you continue to try path after path that leaves you empty and confused? Depressed. And Hopeless.

The choice is yours.

Listen to the words of this song carefully, and if you are willing, let them become your prayer. “Magnify” by Messengers.

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What’s in a Name? Hope Series #17

I don’t know who came up with the childhood rhyme, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me,” but they were seriously mistaken. Physical wounds usually heal in time. However, it takes years, sometimes a lifetime, to heal the deep gouges made in our souls from hurtful words. Unless dealt with, they become part of the recording that plays in our head, hurting us over and over. And if we believe the negative words others assign to us, they can become self-fulfilling predictions.

I’ve been called a few names over the years—not terrible, just not what I would have chosen for myself. Goodie-Two-Shoes, Shortie, Bethie, and the like. Other names, however, were deeply hurtful and degrading. Numbskull, Motormouth, Fat, Unwanted. Most often, someone spoke them in the heat of anger or frustration, pointing out my defects to deflect attention from themselves. Yet, I owned many of these labels. I felt increasingly insecure and less than, because of words spoken once in a single encounter.

It has taken years to learn I don’t have to replay those conversations in my head. Now I’m choosing to replace those harmful labels with what God calls me—Beloved, Precious, Treasure, Useful, Wise, Pure. Those loving names given by my Father are what He calls each of us who choose to become His children! When He washes away our sins, He also washes away our flaws and makes us new.

Jesus was called a lot of horrible names too—Liar, Hypocrite, Satan, Blasphemer, Lawbreaker. But He knew who He was and what He came to do. In fact, it says in John 13:3-5, “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; SO he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist…and began to wash his disciples’ feet” (emphasis mine). Jesus was able to do this nasty job reserved for the lowest slave because He had a firm grip on who He was. Have you ever been trapped in a room with 12 men, whose feet have been walking dusty roads in sandals? It was stinky for sure! He also knew where He was going, and that motivated Jesus to show them sacrificial love.

Jesus didn’t let name-calling distract Him from His mission. He fulfilled what the prophet Isaiah declared: “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope” (Isaiah 42:1-4, quoted in Matthew 12:21).

Jesus knows what it is like to have insults hurled at you. He is gentle with bruised reeds—those who have been crushed by people or circumstances. And He speaks words of encouragement to smoldering wicks—those who want to believe, but struggle with doubts. He calls us Friend, Brother, Daughter, Son. And His view of us gives us the love and acceptance we’ve craved all our lives.

All this comes from God the Father, God the Son, and God’s Spirit—our Savior, Shepherd, Comforter, Friend, Master, Healer, Bread of Life—the Lover of our soul. 

God changes our name from Lost, Too Far Gone, Unforgiven to Chosen, Child of God, Forgiven! Matthew West does a great job of putting this wonderful truth to music.

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When Hope Seems Far Away: Hope Series #15

My heart is aching today for those I love who are in deep distress. I feel helpless. I cannot heal their bodies, change their past, protect them against unfair accusations, or make others treasure them as they should. I can’t do these things for myself, much less for anyone else. These days my prayers feel like clouds around me, hanging, murky and thick.

So I’ve been turning more and more to scripture, to songs that give hope and declare truth. I turn to the One who CAN and does heal, change, protect, and treasure. Our good and loving God, sees what we cannot see. He lives in me, walks with me, and when I cannot form the words, His Spirit prays on my behalf with passionate groans I cannot begin to comprehend.

He understands our pain. He knows and He cares.

When David was in this place of desperate pain, he wrote out his prayers in the psalms. They have been such a comfort to me lately. Have you ever noticed this phrase repeats three times in Psalms 42 and 43? “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5, 11; 43:5).

Songs or poems with repeating phrases have a way of getting our attention. And the message imbeds in our soul. This is powerful self-talk. What an example for us to follow!

“Why am I so upset? Have I lost all hope? Don’t I know God will get me through this?” I needed to hear and repeat David’s words to myself. It’s going to be ok, Beth. God’s in control.

The bad news is, our enemy, Satan, knows how to use repetition as well. You’ve probably noticed when you’re worried, you tend to repeat the same negative thoughts over and over, digging yourself deeper into a pit of anguish. In order to get out, we need to change our pattern of thinking. Instead of the automatic “Why me?” “Why now?” “Where are you, God?” questions, we can choose to quote scripture to the enemy.

In fact, Psalm 42 is so rich with treasures, I want to walk through it with you and weave in prayers of response. There IS hope for you, for me, and for all those we’re praying for.

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”

Lord, I’m desperate for You. I feel so alone. You’re the only One who can fill me up.


“My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’”

They may not have actually said this, but it feels like that’s what they’re thinking, God. I wonder if others are questioning my faith. If I’m such a true believer why are these things happening to me? Why am I so depressed? Why can’t I pull out of this? Are You really there?


“These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.”

I used to love to go to church and celebrate with other believers. I loved the singing, the preaching, and the great discussions about Your Word. I felt protected and joyful. But to be honest, it hurts now. I feel alone in the crowd. Unnoticed. Separate.

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.”

Here is that first repeated phrase. I’ve highlighted two key words—yet and therefore.

Lord, the circumstances of life have cast me down and I can’t seem to get up again. But it occurs to me that I don’t have to give in to this despair; You are my hope. I will yet praise you—now, by a determination of my will, but also later, when this darkness lifts. Because I am confident in who You are, I will praise You from the mountaintops.


“Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.”

Lord, some think this sounds like drowning, but I picture myself under the waterfall of Your outpouring love for me. The waters echo in the caverns behind the falls, magnifying the sound. It reverberates in my ears. I am surrounded. I can feel the booming thunder and hear the splash of water all around me. I choose to place myself in this fountain and be drenched by the flood of Your Spirit.

“By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life.”

O Lord, let me rest in the music of Your love. Wake me with melodies of hope and praise. I will make them my prayers.

“I say to God my Rock, ‘Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?’My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’”

O Jesus, there it is again—the isolation, abandonment, mockery—creeping in. Why won’t these thoughts go away?

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

I turn away from those dark thoughts, Jesus. You’ve always taken care of me, and You won’t leave me now. I put my hope in You. I will YET praise You. You have saved me from the chains of sin and shame. You are the only One worthy of praise. I determine now to give these fears and misery, all of them, to You. As many times as it takes, I will come and give You my anxious heart. Thank You, Lord, for listening, and caring for me. In Jesus name, Amen.  

The following song by Brandon Lake is moving and personal. Set aside the next nine minutes to just worship God. Go for a walk, sit in your car, get on your face, dance, weep, clap. Focus on each word, each note. Lose yourself in “Gratitude” and praise the God who loves you beyond measure.

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Does Hope Embarrass You?: Hope Series #9

I remember the night I decided to give Jesus everything; no looking back. It was the fall of my eighth-grade year. I was so excited, having just prayed with our youth pastor, that I called my best friend from school. I told her what I had done, that Jesus loved her, and a truckload of stuff. She was less than enthused.

The next day at school, none of my friends wanted to hang out with me. Word had gotten out that I had “gotten religion.”

The world loves to cast shame on others who refuse to go with the herd. Shame when you blow it and everything falls apart; and shame when you’re trying to do the right thing and don’t agree with their beliefs or behavior. It is considered an embarrassment, by many, to believe in God in our “modern, progressive” world.

Christians are labeled “old-fashioned,” “out of touch,” even “toxic” or “bigoted” for what we believe. If you say God created the world, that all life is precious, and that He calls us to remain sexually pure, you’re labeled an intellectual moron. A homophobe. An enemy of equality and diversity.

When did truth become something to be ashamed of? When did right become wrong?

“In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause” (Psalm 25:1-3).

The day is coming when the truth about God and every word He has spoken, will be clear to everyone. Until then, our confidence, our validation about who we are and what we believe, must come from God and what He says in the Bible, not from people.

If you are believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and have felt attacked—as though you have no place in this world, you are in good company. The prophets continued to speak God’s words boldly even when mocked, beaten, and killed. Ten of Jesus’ remaining eleven disciples (after Judas hanged himself) were killed for sharing their eyewitness accounts of His resurrection. They never backed down or gave in to the pressure to conform.

Believers all over the world today are hated, beaten, imprisoned, and treated like traitors for believing in Jesus. But they are not ashamed. And we should not be either.  

Mark 8:38 (and Luke 9:26): “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”

Philippians 1:20: “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”

2 Timothy 1:8: “So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.”

2 Timothy 2:15: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

1 Peter 4:16: “However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.”

Where is it hardest for you to be courageous about your faith—at home? At work? In school? This music video from Jeremy Camp shows what can happen when God’s people stand tall. Our hope is nothing to be embarrassed about.

“I Am Not Ashamed”

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A LIVING Hope: Hope Series #8

Many things we hope for in childhood never come to pass. And usually, that’s a good thing, since we’re not always wise about what we want when we’re kids.

I used to hope I would excel in tennis and gymnastics, but despite my best efforts, my skills remained somewhat mediocre. However, because of all that practice, I’m able to enjoy tennis and pickle ball as an adult. I’m so glad I learned how when I was young.

I used to hope for impressive book sales, traveling and speaking to large groups of women. But God called me to homeschool my children, and a writing and teaching ministry that is not big, but immensely fulfilling. I’m content to write what God gives me, and let Him decide how to use it.

I hoped my marriage would last forever, but when my first husband decided he didn’t love me anymore, God healed my heart, and gave me new compassion for women broken by divorce. Then He brought me into a loving second marriage and new life I never could have imagined.

About the only hope of mine that has not died or changed over the years is my hope of seeing Jesus’ face when He takes me home, and to live forever with Him. It hasn’t happened yet, but I’m confident this hope will be realized.

Apostle Peter calls it a living hope, because it breathes life into us when all other hopes crumble and die. It’s about the only hope we can control. Once we say “Yes” to God’s offer of forgiveness and new life in Him, we’re in. It’s a sure thing!

I love the meaty words in the passage below; ones you can really chew on. See what I’ve emphasized in bold letters. These words are real and active, building our faith for what is yet to come. You almost have to pause after every phrase just to take it all in:

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance. 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Pet. 1:2b-5).

Many Christians, including me, like to spend Holy week (Palm Sunday to Easter) reading the details of Jesus’ last week on earth in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the Bible. It makes me feel like I’m traveling with Him—as Jesus showed compassion to the lost and needy, as He challenged the spiritual leaders who settled for legalism instead of loving God and people, and as He purposefully strode toward Jerusalem, even though He knew what waited there for Him.

Knowing what brutality Jesus suffered, have you ever wondered why we call the day of His crucifixion GOOD Friday? It certainly wasn’t good when it happened–for Him or for His followers. But it’s good now, because we know that Sunday–the day He rose again–is coming. The day He showed His power over death and hell. Jesus is our LIVING hope!

This song by Phil Wickham is such a celebration. I pray you find yourself dancing, clapping, crying, and running up the hill with Phil i n the video, in exuberant praise!

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Grieving With Hope: Hope Series #5

Death is a hard thing. Whether it comes in old age or suddenly through accident or illness; after a long life, or just when life seems so full of promise. We are never ready. Not really.

We’ve lost two dear saints lately—one after a long battle with cancer, and the other rather suddenly, after what she thought was a bout with the flu. If any could be described as shining stars in the heavens for Christ, these two could. We miss them already, and will for years to come. I’m sure the churches will be packed with those who want to remember Sue Turney and Deb Zwald, and say goodbye.

For those of us who know the Lord, it won’t be a final goodbye. We will see them again, as well as all believers who have gone before us, in heaven. All those who have loved and served God will be there, and best of all—with Jesus our Savior.

And we won’t be sprouting wings, sitting on clouds, or strumming harps. Doesn’t that sound boring? No, we’ll be enjoying the wonders of heaven—more beautiful than anything we can imagine, full of music and worship. We will finally be free of all the effects of sin (sadness, pain, hatred, dissension, lies). And we will be busy doing amazing things Jesus only hinted at while He was here on earth.

We were made for eternity, but because this world is all we know, we cannot fathom what Jesus has promised us. I only know I have peace about death when it’s my time, and look forward to seeing all four of my grandparents, friends who’ve gone before me, and meeting believers from all nations of the world. Our reunion in heaven is going to be a party beyond anything we can imagine! And we’ll never have to say goodbye. Ever. Again.

Here is what we know from scripture:

Believers only remain on earth until we fulfill our purpose here

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; (Phil. 1:21-23, NIV)

6 So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. 7 For we live by believing and not by seeing. 8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. 10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body. (2 Cor. 5:6-10, NLT)

Believers who have died will physically join Christ to meet those who are still alive at the Rapture

13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thess. 4:13-18, NIV)

Because of Christ, death does not win!

54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
    Where, O death, is your sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Cor. 15:54-58, NIV)

It is better to hope in God who is eternal, than to lean too heavily on people

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. Ps. 118:8 (NIV)

“Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” (Isa. 40:7-8, NIV)

For those of us who have made the choice to follow Jesus, we do grieve when death comes, but we grieve with hope—the hope of seeing our loved ones again.

This is what Matthew West sings about in, “Save a Place for Me.”