Two Verses Held Me Through Suffering - Revision history

Pcain at 19:54, 2 July 2019

Pcain — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 19:54:42 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:54, 2 July 2019
Line 1:		Line 1:
-	{{info}}She put her world on hold for my sake.	+	<p><span class="fck_mw_template">{{info}}</span>She put her world on hold for my sake.
-		+	</p><p>Four years ago, when I suddenly found myself in the hospital for ten scary and torturous days, my wife Luella never left my side. It wasn’t just that she was there during normal visiting hours to talk with doctors and to greet the visitors whom I was unable to greet. She slept next to me in an uncomfortable recliner every night.
-	Four years ago, when I suddenly found myself in the hospital for ten scary and torturous days, my wife Luella never left my side. It wasn’t just that she was there during normal visiting hours to talk with doctors and to greet the visitors whom I was unable to greet. She slept next to me in an uncomfortable recliner every night.	+	</p><p>When the spasms returned, the pain intensified, or the nurse awakened me for medication, Luella was with me. In the morning when I awoke to face a day I really didn’t want to face, Luella was right there with me. When tears came, she was there to comfort. When I got discouraged, she was quick to encourage.
-		+	</p><p>She said many encouraging things to me in that hospital room in my moments of physical and spiritual suffering, but there were five words she repeated to me over and over again that I needed to hear most: <i>“Paul, your Lord is near.”</i>
-	When the spasms returned, the pain intensified, or the nurse awakened me for medication, Luella was with me. In the morning when I awoke to face a day I really didn’t want to face, Luella was right there with me. When tears came, she was there to comfort. When I got discouraged, she was quick to encourage.	+	</p><p><b>More Than Words</b>
-		+	</p><p>I have thought many times since then that Luella’s faithful, attentive presence in the darkest of days and the weakest of moments is a beautiful picture of the faithful presence of another. God is the ultimate present one. He has invaded our life by his grace. He is with us, for us, and in us.
-	She said many encouraging things to me in that hospital room in my moments of physical and spiritual suffering, but there were five words she repeated to me over and over again that I needed to hear most: ''“Paul, your Lord is near.”''	+	</p><p>The hope we have is more than a theological system or some wisdom principles for everyday life. Our hope rests on the willing, faithful, powerful, and loving presence of God with us. It is the ultimate gift of gifts to everyone who walks the harsh and bumpy road between birth and eternity. God has given us no sweeter, more beautiful gift than the gift of himself. He is the gift that changes everything.
-		+	</p><p>Our hope is not found in understanding why God brings hardship into our lives. Our hope is not found in the belief that somehow we will tough our way through. Our hope is not found in doctors, lawyers, pastors, family, or friends. Our hope is not found in our resilience or ingenuity. Our hope is not found in ideas or things. Though we may look to all those for temporary help, ultimately our hope rests in the faithful and gracious presence of the Lord with us.
-	~~'''~~More Than Words~~'''~~	+	</p><p><b>Two Verses to Memorize Again</b>
-		+	</p><p>I’m certain that you have memorized these two verses countless times, but I want to direct your attention to them again. These two amazing promises about God’s presence provide true, lasting, and sturdy hope when things you have hoped in lie beaten, battered, and broken into pieces.
-	I have thought many times since then that Luella’s faithful, attentive presence in the darkest of days and the weakest of moments is a beautiful picture of the faithful presence of another. God is the ultimate present one. He has invaded our life by his grace. He is with us, for us, and in us.	+	</p><p><b>“Behold, I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).</b>
-		+	</p><p>It is important to note that Jesus spoke these words to his disciples while they were being commissioned to give their lives as agents of his great redemptive mission. Jesus ended his commission with these words because he knew the world he was sending his disciples into, and he knew what they would face.
-	The hope we have is more than a theological system or some wisdom principles for everyday life. Our hope rests on the willing, faithful, powerful, and loving presence of God with us. It is the ultimate gift of gifts to everyone who walks the harsh and bumpy road between birth and eternity. God has given us no sweeter, more beautiful gift than the gift of himself. He is the gift that changes everything.	+	</p><p>He knew that their way would be difficult and their job uncomfortable. He knew that they would face constant opposition, misunderstanding, accusation, and rejection. He knew that they would be chased and imprisoned, persecuted, and beaten, and that many of them would give their lives for his cause.
-		+	</p><p>But he would not let them suffer alone. He would not let them suffer in their own strength. He would not leave them to their own political standing. He would not let them rely on their own wisdom. He would give these loyal suffering ones the best assurance ever — that he would always be with them. He would not think of sending them into the cruelty of this fallen world without going with them. He knew what they were facing, and he would give them what they needed — and, more than anything else, what they needed was him.
-	Our hope is not found in understanding why God brings hardship into our lives. Our hope is not found in the belief that somehow we will tough our way through. Our hope is not found in doctors, lawyers, pastors, family, or friends. Our hope is not found in our resilience or ingenuity. Our hope is not found in ideas or things. Though we may look to all those for temporary help, ultimately our hope rests in the faithful and gracious presence of the Lord with us.	+	</p><p><b>“I will not leave you or forsake you” (Joshua 1:5).</b>
-		+	</p><p>This promise is given numerous times in Scripture. Every time one of God’s children or the whole community of God’s children faced something hard, new, difficult, or overwhelming, God greeted them with this promise. He never called them to a task, sent them to a destination, or led them into difficulty, and then abandoned them. No matter how hard the situation or inadequate their response, God was with them and for them. The declaration that he would never leave them is a significant reminder and protection for everyone who suffers.
-	~~'''~~Two Verses to Memorize Again~~'''~~	+	</p><p><b>Not a Distant Lord</b>
-		+	</p><p>In an indescribable act of unmerited grace, God has made you the place where he lives, and in the faithfulness of that grace he will never walk away from you.
-	I’m certain that you have memorized these two verses countless times, but I want to direct your attention to them again. These two amazing promises about God’s presence provide true, lasting, and sturdy hope when things you have hoped in lie beaten, battered, and broken into pieces.	+	</p><p>In all the emotional and spiritual ups and downs, on the good days and the bad days, when you fight or succumb, one thing is for sure: Your Lord is with you, and there is no struggle without or war within that will ever drive him away from his children. And his presence guarantees that in your suffering you will have everything you need.
-		+	</p><p>Below is a meditation in the form of verse that I wrote to encourage my soul when my Lord led me into unexpected and hard places. I pray that the truths of the gospel will stimulate a worship, rest, and celebration in you that the difficulties of life, this side of eternity, will not have the power to end.
-	~~'''~~“Behold, I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).~~'''~~	+	</p><p>You are not a distant Lord,<br />
-		+	a detached Master<br />
-	It is important to note that Jesus spoke these words to his disciples while they were being commissioned to give their lives as agents of his great redemptive mission. Jesus ended his commission with these words because he knew the world he was sending his disciples into, and he knew what they would face.	+	moving the pawns<br />
-		+	on the board<br />
-	He knew that their way would be difficult and their job uncomfortable. He knew that they would face constant opposition, misunderstanding, accusation, and rejection. He knew that they would be chased and imprisoned, persecuted, and beaten, and that many of them would give their lives for his cause.	+	in an impersonal act<br />
-		+	of winning.<br />
-	~~“God has given us no sweeter, more beautiful gift than the gift of himself. He is the gift that changes everything.” Tweet Share on Facebook~~	+	Your lordship<br />
-	But he would not let them suffer alone. He would not let them suffer in their own strength. He would not leave them to their own political standing. He would not let them rely on their own wisdom. He would give these loyal suffering ones the best assurance ever — that he would always be with them. He would not think of sending them into the cruelty of this fallen world without going with them. He knew what they were facing, and he would give them what they needed — and, more than anything else, what they needed was him.	+	does not separate<br />
-		+	me from you<br />
-	~~'''~~“I will not leave you or forsake you” (Joshua 1:5).~~'''~~	+	as a serf<br />
-		+	would be separated<br />
-	This promise is given numerous times in Scripture. Every time one of God’s children or the whole community of God’s children faced something hard, new, difficult, or overwhelming, God greeted them with this promise. He never called them to a task, sent them to a destination, or led them into difficulty, and then abandoned them. No matter how hard the situation or inadequate their response, God was with them and for them. The declaration that he would never leave them is a significant reminder and protection for everyone who suffers.	+	from a king. No, you accomplished<br />
-		+	your sovereign plan<br />
-	~~'''~~Not a Distant Lord~~'''~~	+	by invading my<br />
-		+	dark and messy world<br />
-	In an indescribable act of unmerited grace, God has made you the place where he lives, and in the faithfulness of that grace he will never walk away from you.	+	in the person<br />
-		+	of your Son,<br />
-	In all the emotional and spiritual ups and downs, on the good days and the bad days, when you fight or succumb, one thing is for sure: Your Lord is with you, and there is no struggle without or war within that will ever drive him away from his children. And his presence guarantees that in your suffering you will have everything you need.	+	giving yourself<br />
-		+	in radical grace<br />
-	Below is a meditation in the form of verse that I wrote to encourage my soul when my Lord led me into unexpected and hard places. I pray that the truths of the gospel will stimulate a worship, rest, and celebration in you that the difficulties of life, this side of eternity, will not have the power to end.	+	to people<br />
-		+	who saw no value<br />
-	You are not a distant Lord,<br>	+	in your nearness.<br />
-	a detached Master<br>	+	You are Master,<br />
-	moving the pawns<br>	+	but you are<br />
-	on the board<br>	+	Emmanuel.<br />
-	in an impersonal act<br>	+	You are Lord,<br />
-	of winning.<br>	+	but you are<br />
-	Your lordship<br>	+	Father.<br />
-	does not separate<br>	+	You are King,<br />
-	me from you<br>	+	but you are<br />
-	as a serf<br>	+	Friend.<br />
-	would be separated<br>	+	You are Sovereign,<br />
-	from a king. No, you accomplished<br>	+	but you are<br />
-	your sovereign plan<br>	+	Shepherd.<br />
-	by invading my<br>	+	Your rule is not from<br />
-	dark and messy world<br>	+	afar.<br />
-	in the person<br>	+	No, your rule brings you<br />
-	of your Son,<br>	+	near.<br />
-	giving yourself<br>	+	I have hope today<br />
-	in radical grace<br>	+	because you are not<br />
-	to people<br>	+	distant.<br />
-	who saw no value<br>	+	And I celebrate<br />
-	in your nearness.<br>	+	the amazing<br />
-	You are Master,<br>	+	rest and strength<br />
-	but you are<br>	+	to be found in the reality that<br />
-	Emmanuel.<br>	+	your sovereignty<br />
-	You are Lord,<br>	+	has brought you<br />
-	but you are<br>	+
-	Father.<br>	+
-	You are King,<br>	+
-	but you are<br>	+
-	Friend.<br>	+
-	You are Sovereign,<br>	+
-	but you are<br>	+
-	Shepherd.<br>	+
-	Your rule is not from<br>	+
-	afar.<br>	+
-	No, your rule brings you<br>	+
-	near.<br>	+
-	I have hope today<br>	+
-	because you are not<br>	+
-	distant.<br>	+
-	And I celebrate<br>	+
-	the amazing<br>	+
-	rest and strength<br>	+
-	to be found in the reality that<br>	+
-	your sovereignty<br>	+
-	has brought you<br>	+
	near.		near.
		+	</p>

Kathyyee: Protected "Two Verses Held Me Through Suffering" ([edit=sysop] (indefinite) [move=sysop] (indefinite))

Kathyyee — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 02:49:34 GMT

Protected "Two Verses Held Me Through Suffering" ([edit=sysop] (indefinite) [move=sysop] (indefinite))

← Older revision

Revision as of 02:49, 11 June 2019

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Kathyyee — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 02:49:16 GMT

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{{info}}She put her world on hold for my sake.

Four years ago, when I suddenly found myself in the hospital for ten scary and torturous days, my wife Luella never left my side. It wasn’t just that she was there during normal visiting hours to talk with doctors and to greet the visitors whom I was unable to greet. She slept next to me in an uncomfortable recliner every night.

When the spasms returned, the pain intensified, or the nurse awakened me for medication, Luella was with me. In the morning when I awoke to face a day I really didn’t want to face, Luella was right there with me. When tears came, she was there to comfort. When I got discouraged, she was quick to encourage.

She said many encouraging things to me in that hospital room in my moments of physical and spiritual suffering, but there were five words she repeated to me over and over again that I needed to hear most: ''“Paul, your Lord is near.”''

'''More Than Words'''

I have thought many times since then that Luella’s faithful, attentive presence in the darkest of days and the weakest of moments is a beautiful picture of the faithful presence of another. God is the ultimate present one. He has invaded our life by his grace. He is with us, for us, and in us.

The hope we have is more than a theological system or some wisdom principles for everyday life. Our hope rests on the willing, faithful, powerful, and loving presence of God with us. It is the ultimate gift of gifts to everyone who walks the harsh and bumpy road between birth and eternity. God has given us no sweeter, more beautiful gift than the gift of himself. He is the gift that changes everything.

Our hope is not found in understanding why God brings hardship into our lives. Our hope is not found in the belief that somehow we will tough our way through. Our hope is not found in doctors, lawyers, pastors, family, or friends. Our hope is not found in our resilience or ingenuity. Our hope is not found in ideas or things. Though we may look to all those for temporary help, ultimately our hope rests in the faithful and gracious presence of the Lord with us.

'''Two Verses to Memorize Again'''

I’m certain that you have memorized these two verses countless times, but I want to direct your attention to them again. These two amazing promises about God’s presence provide true, lasting, and sturdy hope when things you have hoped in lie beaten, battered, and broken into pieces.

'''“Behold, I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).'''

It is important to note that Jesus spoke these words to his disciples while they were being commissioned to give their lives as agents of his great redemptive mission. Jesus ended his commission with these words because he knew the world he was sending his disciples into, and he knew what they would face.

He knew that their way would be difficult and their job uncomfortable. He knew that they would face constant opposition, misunderstanding, accusation, and rejection. He knew that they would be chased and imprisoned, persecuted, and beaten, and that many of them would give their lives for his cause.

“God has given us no sweeter, more beautiful gift than the gift of himself. He is the gift that changes everything.” Tweet Share on Facebook
But he would not let them suffer alone. He would not let them suffer in their own strength. He would not leave them to their own political standing. He would not let them rely on their own wisdom. He would give these loyal suffering ones the best assurance ever — that he would always be with them. He would not think of sending them into the cruelty of this fallen world without going with them. He knew what they were facing, and he would give them what they needed — and, more than anything else, what they needed was him.

'''“I will not leave you or forsake you” (Joshua 1:5).'''

This promise is given numerous times in Scripture. Every time one of God’s children or the whole community of God’s children faced something hard, new, difficult, or overwhelming, God greeted them with this promise. He never called them to a task, sent them to a destination, or led them into difficulty, and then abandoned them. No matter how hard the situation or inadequate their response, God was with them and for them. The declaration that he would never leave them is a significant reminder and protection for everyone who suffers.

'''Not a Distant Lord'''

In an indescribable act of unmerited grace, God has made you the place where he lives, and in the faithfulness of that grace he will never walk away from you.

In all the emotional and spiritual ups and downs, on the good days and the bad days, when you fight or succumb, one thing is for sure: Your Lord is with you, and there is no struggle without or war within that will ever drive him away from his children. And his presence guarantees that in your suffering you will have everything you need.

Below is a meditation in the form of verse that I wrote to encourage my soul when my Lord led me into unexpected and hard places. I pray that the truths of the gospel will stimulate a worship, rest, and celebration in you that the difficulties of life, this side of eternity, will not have the power to end.

You are not a distant Lord, 
a detached Master 
moving the pawns 
on the board 
in an impersonal act 
of winning. 
Your lordship 
does not separate 
me from you 
as a serf 
would be separated 
from a king. No, you accomplished 
your sovereign plan 
by invading my 
dark and messy world 
in the person 
of your Son, 
giving yourself 
in radical grace 
to people 
who saw no value 
in your nearness. 
You are Master, 
but you are 
Emmanuel. 
You are Lord, 
but you are 
Father. 
You are King, 
but you are 
Friend. 
You are Sovereign, 
but you are 
Shepherd. 
Your rule is not from 
afar. 
No, your rule brings you 
near. 
I have hope today 
because you are not 
distant. 
And I celebrate 
the amazing 
rest and strength 
to be found in the reality that 
your sovereignty 
has brought you 
near.