I Have Hope

This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. — Lamentations 3:21-22

Because of the Lord's great love for me, I am not consumed.

The compassions of the Lord never fail.

Therefore I have hope.

My hope is in the Lord.

And His Son, Jesus.

I Have Been Crucified With Christ

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. — Galatians 2:20

I live by faith in Jesus.

He love me and gave himself for me.

I have been crucified with Christ.

The life I live in the body, I live by faith in Him.

During this time of Lent, we thank God for Jesus.

And for the sacrifice He made for me personally.

 

In Him We Have Redemption

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. — Ephesians 1:7

Jesus died for us.

In Him we have redemption.

Because Jesus died for us and shed His blood for our sin.

All to forgive us from our sins.

We benefitted from the riches of God's grace.

He is merciful.

And He cares for us even more than the birds, which He clothes in all their beautiful finery.

How much more God provides for us.

Numbering the hairs on our head.

Jesus Will Be Raised to Life

On the third day he will be raised to life! — Matthew 20:19

Jesus will be raised to life.

But first, He will die for my sins.

He will suffer pain and humiliation for my wrongdoing.

Jesus will be buried in a tomb.

And His friends will mourn.

But the third day He will be raised to life!

And he will live in heaven forever.

The Son of Man Will Be Delivered Over to the Chief Priests

Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. — Matthew 20:17-18

During this time of Lent, we remember that Jesus knew about His death beforehand.

He explained it to His disciples.

Then He told them that he would be condemned to death.

He would be handed over to the Gentiles.

They will flog Him, mock Him, and crucify Him,

Treating Him as a common criminal.

So that I can live with Him forever one day.

Here's Kirk's brother with his retirement gifts.

The army decanter and glasses arrived just before dinner.

And the redbreast came earlier today.

Perfect timing!

The Spirit God Gave Us Gives Us Love

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. — 2 Timothy 1:7

Yesterday I went to lunch with a coworker.

Our boss is moving on in his career, and she is nervous.

I wanted to offer my support and mentorship along with the resources of my team of writers.

She is a Christian, so we had a chance to talk about her church, her marriage, and her relationship with Jesus.

I shared with her the Scripture that tells us "Do not worry."

And explained that God wants us to cast all of our cares on Him.

When we forget, we can simply pray and ask Him to help us.

I mentioned that God has put her here in our company for a reason.

And that it helps me to ask Him before making decisions, having discussions, etc.

Asking Him for wisdom before I charge ahead with my own agenda.

I also told him how He has given me opportunities to pray with our coworkers, even those who are not Christians.

She told me that she and her husband have joined a Bible study, and how he was more of a social Christian, but is developing more of relationship himself and is even willing to lead their evening prayers.

She is grateful for her Christian coworkers and for our company.

I am thankful for the same.

We All Have Gone Astray

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. — Isaiah 53:6

Today is the start of a new month - April.

It's also the middle of Lent.

Preparing our hearts for Easter.

Since we all have gone astray, just like sheep.

Each of us has turned our own way.

We have not followed God's direction.

And the Lord has laid on Jesus the iniquity of us all.

Thank You, Lord!