Life was never promised to be easy.

"It is easy to trust God when things are going well."  It is easy to trust God and enjoy prosperity, a good job, health, friends, bounty, favor and trouble free living, isn't it?   When no one calls you a name, no one betrays you, and no enemies seek to devour you, isn't trust easiest?  When grief never knocks and pain is someone else's problem - praise is easier, right?  Surely, it seems easy when all is not rain, but rainbows and sunshine.  We are better at trust when doubt, despair, death, darkness, disappointment, and distress are nowhere to be found.  But, life isn't free from these things. The truth is in the title, "Life was never promised to be easy!"  So, how do we answer the bell and face the challenge "to keep trusting in the midst of challenges?"

As Nicky and Pippa Gumbel share in their devotional, "The Christian life is never without troubles, tears, sadness and disappointments. However, what distinguishes the people of God is their relationship with God."

Sure, life was never promised to be easy.   but God has promised to be with us always, in every event and moment of life.  Even more He has promised us His yoke (to make life easier), to carry our burdens, to give us eternal life and life abundantly, to work all things out for our good, to fulfill His good plans for us, to bring His promises to pass, to give us peace that never passes away, and to come take us to be with Him in His Father's house! 

In times of intense difficulty, despair and pain we are most blessed and fortunate because we can turn to God.  As David reminds us,
"Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you? You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. You will increase my greatness and comfort me again."
Psalms 71:19‭-‬21 ESV

"LORD, thank you that there is no trouble that this life can bring from which You do not rescue us [now, and] ultimately with eternal life in Your presence. Thank you that, in the middle of our troubles [You are with us and], we can pray to You and be refreshed (Act 3:19)."  May Your presence and Spirit give us strength, courage, renewal and refreshment to continue in the work of faith.

Remember, when we are in Christ, trouble never has the last word!

 --
Quotes taken from Nicky and Pippa Gumbel , Bible in One Year 2016 

More good news...

6.25.17

I just read some more good news... "the righteous will... outlast death and 'flourish’ and be ‘rewarded’ (Prov 14.11–14)." The righteous in Christ live a favored life and "will ultimately be victorious" because of the resurrection.

May the Good News give you strength to continue your prayers, your journey of faith, and your confident hope in Jesus.

~ Love you lots

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Quotes taken from Nicky and Pippa Gumbel , Bible in One Year 2016 

Good Morning Theophilus 6.19.17

May the Lord who is great, our saving help and our Sovereign God, give us passion, purpose and power. May He make today an excellent and exciting start to a wonderful, beautiful and blessed week. Happy Monday! Love you, Cassius

Is His grace big enough...

Stop and think about this true statement:

"There is no sin or failing that is too great for God to forgive, and no situation into which God’s grace cannot reach. No matter what you have done!

Need help believing this statement...
See Adam...
See Abraham...
See Moses...
See Samson...
See Saul...
See David...
See the Prodigal Son (and more so comprehend the mercy grace and compassion of the forgiving Father)
Ask Rahab...
Ask Ruth...
Ask Mary Magdeline...
Ask Mary and Martha...
Ask the woman caught in adultery...
See the prostitute with the alabaster jar...
See Peter...
Ask Paul...
Ask the thief in Paradise...
Talk to John Mark...
See Barrabus...

Look in the mirror and remember that the cross was for you too.  One died for all so that all who believe in The One might have eternal life. 

Hear again the words of Christ from the cross...

Luke 23.34 : Jesus said, “Father," forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing...

Luke 23.43 : Jesus answered him (the 2nd thief), “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."

At the cross, forgiveness was purchased and granted to all.  And just so we might know that it is a free and unconditional gift, He lavished the gift on a thief (a rebel) dying on a cross beside Him. 

"We all mess up from time to time. God forgives. He restores. He blesses us again. If you have fallen, admit your sin, confess, repent, grieve if necessary and then get on with your life looking forward to what God has in store for you."

When David sinned greatly (with Basheba and killing Uriah her husband) he repented (see Psalm 51)   When the Lord confronted him through the prophet Nathan, David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord ." And Nathan said to David, "The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.
2 Samuel 12:13 ESV

If God's love and forgiveness are so strong and so freely given, what else should we do except live for Him in His arms of grace?

For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord , from my youth.
Psalms 71:5 ESV

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Quotes taken from Nicky and Pippa Gumbel , Bible in One Year 2016 

His energy in us...

"God’s power and energy had raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus was alive again.

The same power and energy that raised Jesus Christ from the dead now lives in you.  So whether we are at our lowest ebb or facing great trials and challenges or just facing the ordinary struggles of life, we can all find strength and energy in the Lord our God."

May God’s power and energy give to you "the same energy, strength and power that He used to raise Jesus from the dead so that you are able to do all that is needed, be all that He intends, and in all things be immensely successful.

Love you — Cassius

 --
Quotes taken from Nicky and Pippa Gumbel , Bible in One Year 2016 

Triumph is still possible

"The supreme example of triumph coming out of apparent catastrophe is the cross. What seemed to the world to be the ultimate defeat was in fact the ultimate triumph."

If God can turn the cross, a symbol of suffering and shame, into the sign of hope and the symbol of the triumph of God, good over evil, light over darkness and right over wrong.  If God can triumph over death, then while you breathe and dare I boldly say even after, then your triumph through Him is still possible.

 --
Quotes taken from Nicky and Pippa Gumbel , Bible in One Year 2016 

Good Morning Theophilus - 6.19.17

Christ occupies the Highest Heavens. His reign is sovereign and above all things. His power is impressive, impeachable, impactful, and immense. "He stopped the waves with a word. He spoke, and a tree withered. He spoke again, and a basket became a banquet." May He speak peace to your storms, cause your troubles, foes, and fears to wither, and make your week a banquet of blessing, unmerited favor, and unconditional love. Have a lovely week! Love you, Cassius

2 Samuel 2:6-10

The Lord makes us alive and raise us up. The Lord sends us true riches and wealth. The Lord exalts us, lifts us from the dust and raises us from the ashes. The One seated in heaven grants us honor and gives us an inheritance of eternity. The Great God guards our feet and makes us His faithful servants. By the strength of The Most High we shall be blessed and we shall prevail.

May today leave you in breathless and speechless awe of His goodness.

Every detail

"The God of the universe and of history is also the God of all the little details in your life. He is not just almighty and powerful, but he is also your Father who is intimately concerned with you. Your life and all the details matter to God. Your life counts."
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Quotes taken from Nicky and Pippa Gumbel , Bible in One Year 2016