Set Your Hope on the Grace of Jesus

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. — 1 Peter 1:13

God commands us to keep our minds alert.

And to focus on His Word.

Our guide to living.

He calls us to set our hope on His grace through Jesus.

And the grace to be brought to us when Jesus is revealed at His coming.

Set our minds on Christ.

Perfect Peace

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. — Isaiah 26:3

God will keep us in perfect peace.

Even when the world around us is in war and chaos.

When we trust in the Lord,

His Holy Spirit fills us with a deep peace beyond our understanding.

When we keep our minds steadfast on Him.

The Lord of Peace.

The Peace of God Will Guard Your Hearts

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:7

God's peace passes all understanding.

He will guard my heart.

And He will guard my mind in Christ Jesus.

I am blessed.

This weekend marks the anniversary of Dad Gary's death.

Here his is making his famous tacos for all the grandkids.

We miss him each day.

But we are thankful for memories like these.

And the recipes he passed down for us.

And the electric skillet that stlil makes delicious tacos!

Keep in Perfect Peace

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. — Isaiah 26:3 

God will keep us in perfect peace.

Even when our minds are racing furiously.

Even when the world around us comes crashing in.

And especially when our friends and family are going through tough times.

God's peace overcomes them all.

He keeps our minds steadfast.

And we trust in Him.

He Has Reconciled You by Christ's Death

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. — Colossians 1:21-22 

Yesterday for Easter we were overwhelmed with flowers from family and friends.

These are the beautiful sunflowers my niece Carly brought for us.

They brighten the room!

We had a fun time with those who were able to join us - about 14 of our closest family members and friends.

Once we were alienated from God.

We were enemies of Him because of our sins.

But now God has reconciled us to Himself in Christ's death.

Now Jesus can present us holy in God's sight.

Through Jesus we are without blemish and free from accusation.

We celebrate Easter because Jesus died for us and came alive again.

The Peace of God

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:7

May God's peace guard the hearts of those in Ukraine and in other war-torn areas of the world.

His peace transcends all understanding.

May the Lord guard their minds from the devastation around them.

May the love of Jesus surround them.

May Christ bring them His perfect peace.

And may we feel that peace in our lives, too.

Thank You, Lord.

Set Your Hope on Jesus

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. — 1 Peter 1:13

This week, my friend Brad sent me a very thoughtful text, reminding me of my work anniversary with AnsMar Publishers.

It was ten years ago that he asked me to come to work for him.

Those years were a great experience getting to work on Math curriculum for grades K - 8.

I learned a lot and grew as an editor, manager, writer, marketer, and publisher.

When Brad retired, I moved on to Axos Bank, where I've been now for almost four years.

God has placed me just where He wants me to be.

I just pray that He will continue to use me to do His will.

Here's my former boss Karen and my coworker Jen reconnecting after a year apart.

I am blessed with wonderful friends.

The Peace of God

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:7

The peace of God transcends all understanding.

God will guard our hearts.

He will guide our minds.

Through Christ Jesus, we can have God's deep peace that passes all understanding. 

With prayer, we can bring our requests and petitions before God.

We can pray for our friends and neighbors.

And we can thank God for giving us His peace.

 

Set Your Hope on God's Grace

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. — 1 Peter 1:13

Today I went to my exercise class at the YMCA.

They have cancelled our LiveStrong class until April.

I can still go work out and use the gym.

So now I'll go there just once a week and work out another day at the gym where I work.

Our church has also canceled our worship time on Sunday.

Instead, they will livestream a service with very few people there.

Therefore, with alert minds, we set our hope on the grace to be brought when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.