Yet Another New Year

 

As we soon leave one year and enter yet another new year, the Lord desires that we hide ourselves in the peace that only He can give, in the peace of His presence.  We need to do this in everything we do, be it in the quiet moments or when we face difficult challenges.  We must do this when we face the day to day duties of care-giving for a love one, our own illness, a job loss, the death of a loved one,or a host of other possible trials.  We all need to do this, as we walk the path God has assigned to us.  As we do this, remember the Lord's presence is in us and beside us.  He also walks in front of us and behind us.

Dear Reader, I know the burdens of life at times can become heavy.  Life can become challenging at times.  We can walk with joy in our hearts, however, if we remember that the Lord is our burden-carrier. The Lord says in John 16:33 of the New Testament of the Bible that in this world we will have burdens and trouble, but He goes on to say, "But take heart!  I have overcome the world!"

 2024 again had some difficult challenges for me, as I found myself once again in a family care-giving situation.  On January 10 my husband, Bob, entered an assisted living facility and then in late June he entered a full skilled nursing facility.  On November 26th Bob passed away.  This was all after a few months of in home help and care  as well   

I sometimes wonder why God has asked me to go through a similar situation twice over.  Yet God has never failed me.  In fact, He never will fail me.  He will not fail you either, dear Reader.  Psalm 31:19 says, "How great is Your goodness which You have stored up for those who fear You." We don't need to fear outside circumstances.   Instead we need to stand in fear and awe of the Lord and to hunger and thirst for His presence.  The psalmist in Psalm 63:7 of the Old Testament of the Bible says, "Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings."  It is okay and even necessary to grieve our losses, but God will walk with us through those experiences

This is the pathway to peace no matter what the circumstances.  May we all endeavor to rest in that peace.  May we resolve to walk in His presence throughout this coming year. 

Christmas Hope

 

In my church as we celebrate the advent season and prepare for Christmas, our evening services are centering on the theme,"Behold the Lamb of God!"  Jesus Christ is called the Lamb of God who came to sacrifice His life to atone for and pay for our sins.  In the Old Testament God's people had to sacrifice lambs over and over as a picture of Jesus, the ultimate Lamb of God, who would come to pay for our sins.  After Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins that was the final sacrifice.  No other sacrifice was needed after that.  Jesus was sufficient.     We deserve eternal punishment for our sins.  Yet Jesus took the punishment for those sins upon Himself and paid the price for our sins.  The song, "The Lamb of God" talks about that wonderful sacrifice that he made for us.  There is a link below to that song that you as a reader can click on to listen to that wonderful song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QGNUDsQ6fI

I don't know about you, but I am very weary of the effects of sin coming into the world. I am tired and heart weary of seeing sickness and suffering in this world   I am tired also of even seeing loved ones who are believers pass away.  Yet because of Christ's sacrifice on the cross that is not the final word for believers.  Believers go immediately to heaven after death,  and one day their bodies will be raised also.

At Christmas we remember Jesus coming to the earth the first time as a baby in  a manger and then later die on the cross for our sins.  One day Jesus Christ will return, and all the dead in Christ will rise!  My Christmas cactus has reminded me of that blessed truth often this Christmas season.  From  a plant that showed no sign of blossoms a beautiful flower has emerged full of blossoms in just the last few weeks.  How much more wonderful will be Christ's second coming and the resurrection of believers  one day.  What a day that will be, and what hope that gives us even now!

My Only Comfort

Those of you who follow me on Facebook know that I  recently lost my husband, Bob.  Bob and I had found each other late in life after both having lost our first spouses to death.  We were married a little over five years.  Yet Bob was in nursing facilities for almost a year before his death on November 26, 2024.

Right now my grief symptoms include fatigue and feelings of having difficulty concentrating at times.  I know from having experiencined grief before that these symptoms will alleviate in time.  Yet I also know grief is a process which must be experienced, and the emotions should not be stuffed.  I also know there is a sense in which the grief although getting better, never completely goes away.   It  just becomes a part of one's life.  This is not all a bad thing, as it makes one lean more  on the Lord and grow closer to Him.

There is beautiful song called, "NO More Night."  which talks bout the day coming when there will be no longer any sorrow or heartache or night.  What a comfort that is for believers.  I posted the link for that song below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iPIi7sunEU

Another song which I find to be a comfort is the song, "Redeemed."  Because I am redeemed and a child of God, I find great comfort in knowing I am held in His arms as His child.  You will find a link for that song below this paragraph:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZrxNZibe_I

And now I quote a beloved catechism question which asks,  "What is your only comfort in life and death?"  The beautiful answer is "My only comfort in life and death is that I belong to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ."

Please pray for me, as I continue the grief process.  Pray also for Bob's daughters who have just lost their second biological parent.  When that happened to me I remember thinking, "Now I am an orphan."  Even as an adult such thoughts go through one's mind.