Receive the Crown of Life

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. — James 1:12

Those who persevere under trial are called blessed by God.

When we stand the test, God takes note.

That person will receive the crown of life.

Just as God has promised to those who love Him.

This is home up the street that's being built entirely of shipping containers.

I had heard about this recently, but this is the first time we saw it in person!

Very interesting!

You Need to Persevere

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. — Hebrews 10:35-36 

God commands us to remain confident.

And to persevere in doing the will of God.

When we hesitate, He pushes us along.

Holding us up when we lose heart.

Providing the strength we need to persevere.

He is our Rock!

Blessed Is the One Who Perseveres

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. — James 1:12

Kirk's mom's cousin Roger Jones passed away unexpectedly yesterday in Iowa.

Fortunately, Kirk had visited him, his wife, and daughters on his trip to Akron a year and a half ago.

Still, it's hard to lose a relative.

But God calls us blessed to have persevered.

And now he has received the crown of life that God promises to those who love him.

Praise the Lord.

Simeon Sees the Messiah

When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation. — Luke 2:27-30a

Simeon praised God when he saw the baby Jesus in the temple.

He had been waiting for this day.

And He knew that this was no ordinary baby, but the Son of God.

Simeon recognized that Jesus was the Messiah as he took him in his arms.

And that God had sent Him to earth just as he had promised long ago.

Simeon was now ready to be with God in death.

He had now seen God's salvation and was thankful.

He was now at peace.

Those of us who k now Jesus are also at peace, no matter what comes our way.

God's Rainbow Promise

 And this is what he promised us—eternal life. — 1 John 2:25

God set his bow in the clouds to promise to never flood the world again.

Here's the view of a rainbow from my office window on Wednesday.

Friday Abby and I went to the zoo for the first time in several years.

We got to see God's creation up close.

They have a baby giraffe.

And we walked throughout the park.

A fun day spent together.

Happy New Year!

Remain in the Son

As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us—eternal life. — 1 John 2:24-25

We have heard from the beginning that God is our Creator.

And that Jesus is our Savior.

God's Word remains in us.

Jesus promises us eternal life.

As we head in to the new year, we celebrate the new life that God has given us through His Son.

We rejoice in Jesus our Savior.

Remain in the Son

As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us—eternal life. — Luke 2:24-25 

We have heard from the beginning that God is our Father.

He created the world and all that is in it.

We have heard from the beginning that Jesus and God are one. 

God wanted 'us to remain with Him.

And He promised us eternal life!

God Remembers to Be Merciful

He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors. — Luke 1:54-55 

God is merciful.

He promised our ancestors that He would remember to show us mercy.

And He does.

He sent His Son Jesus to redeem us from our sin.

On this Christmas Eve, we thank Him for remembering us, even when we forget Him.

Last week I visited my physical therapist so she could check for lymphedema and suggest massage techniques and self-care.

She gave me some additional tips, but said everything looks great.

Just a small pitting by my elbow which should go away when I get my new compression sleeve.

Praise God for His mercy and grace!

Your Salvation

Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. — Luke 2:29-32

Simeon praised God with these words after he saw Jesus in the temple.

Praise be to God for sending His Son, Jesus!

On New Years Eve Abby and I walked along La Jolla Shores and marveled at God's goodness.

We were amazed by the beautiful sunset filling the sky above the water and the beach.

The dogs we saw were enjoying the evening, too.

And seagull just stood near the water taking it all in.

What a fun evening that displayed God's glory for all of us to see.

 

Included

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. — Ephesians 1:13

When I heard the message of truth, I also became a child of God.






Jesus died for my sins.

God's message for me is the gospel of my salvation.

He marked me with a seal when I believed.

God sent His Holy Spirit to live within me, just as He had promised.

The Holy Spirit adds new color to my life.

He gives my life purpose and meaning.

Wednesday I have my CT scan to confirm that I am cancer free.

I will work at home, then go over to my appointment at 11:00 and then continue to work at home for the day.

In a week or two my doctor will have the results back and will let me know how everything turned out.

The Hope of Eternal Life

In the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior. — Titus 2-3

God promised us before the beginning of creation that we have the hope of eternal life.

People may not always be able to keep their promises.

But God always keeps His promises. He does not lie.

He has brought to light the hope of eternal life in Christ Jesus.

We worshiped online today, sheltering at home with our family.

It was hot and sunny, but I got out for a walk with a friend at 7:30, before it got too warm.

We saw a small bunny running our way up the sidewalk.

He had no fear.

We can have no fear knowing that God is with us.

Spur Each Other On

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. — Hebrews 10:23-24

It is not always easy to think of others first.

But when we hold on to the hope we have in Jesus, He is faithful.

He helps us spur each other on toward love.

The Holy Spirit helps us consider how we can do good deeds for each other.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess.

Confidence in Christ

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. — Hebrews 10:35-36

We are confident of the love of Jesus.

He helps us persevere, even when things seem tough.

This week, Kirk retires after teaching for 30 years in the Cajon Union School District.

He cleaned out his classroom this weekend.

He also got some wonderful letters and phone calls from former students.

They were so thankful to have him for their history teacher.

And they reminisced with him about some of the lessons they still remember.

It will be bittersweet to leave.

At the same time, he is looking forward to beginning this new part of his life.


 

Promised Inheritance

Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. — Hebrews 9:15

When Kirk's dad died last year, we received an inheritance.

The sale of his house was finalized in October.

However, the money from the sale is still tied up in probate, and the court has moved the hearing date from May to July (originally it was scheduled for last year).

So we continue to be patient that that will be resolved at some point and the proceeds from that sale can be distributed to the three brothers.

Jesus gives us a promised eternal inheritance much greater than anything we can imagine here on earth.

His death provides a ransom to set us free from the sins we commit.

He is now seated on the right hand of God the Father and acts as our mediator between God and us.

We wait patiently for the time when we will see Him face to face and live with Him.