“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” ~ Joshua 1:9 (ESV)

Do you feel discouraged some days? Things are not going well for you? Oh, I feel like that some days. The past 5 or 6 years have been like a roller-coaster ride for me. Some days on the mountain top, others in the bottom of the deepest valley.

Crushed dreams, empty nest, the body is aging faster than my brain…you name it. I think that one of the hardest things was, that I could not be there for my sister when her marriage broke up. The only thing that has kept me going over the years is that I know that my Redeemer is there for me. He sees me through the valleys to bring me back to the mountain top…

Every year, through the time of Lent, I read a book that chronicles Christ’s journey to the cross. What really stuck with me this year is that Christ, was agonizing at one point (see Luke 22:44). When Christ went up to the Mount

of Olives, He prayed the following words:

“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” ~ Luke 22:42 (ESV)

But even in His distress, He was not alone, because in the very next verse we read:

“And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.” ~ Luke 22:43 (ESV)

Did you read this? God sent angels to strengthen Him…Christ knew what had to be done in order to redeem God’s people – He needed to be separated from God. I believe that this is what Christ was agonizing the most over – separation from God. Christ trusted God to see Him through this separation though.

You see, we don’t have to fear this separation from God. Even through the really rough days, we know that He is there. His love, His strength will see us through until live everlasting.

Let me share a quote by R. Kent Hughes, from the book “Jesus keep my near Cross” (compiled by Nancy Guthrie):

‘Gethsemane was not a tragedy, and neither are our Gethsemanes. This does not do away with the wound of affliction in this life, but it is encouraging to see that behind human tragedy stands the benevolent and wise purpose of the Lord of human history. Life may be dark at times, tragedy may come, and at times the whole world may seem to be falling apart. The wheel may appear ready to crush us. But this is not the end…’

Lord of Heaven and Earth. You sent your Son do die for our sins, You never promised that life this side of Heaven will be easy. However, You promised that You will always be with us. That you will cheer us on, give us strength, give us courage. We are trusting that You will see us through the end of days, until life everlasting. In the precious name of Jesus ~ Amen…

“For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. ” ~ Romans 5:7-9 (ESV)

How often do you use the word ‘Love’ in your daily conversations? I have to admit, I do use it a lot. As I was working on a digital layout the other day, I thought about the diversity of love. The word love does have a lot of different meanings. Let me share some of them with you I found in a dictionary:

1. a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.
2. .A feeling of warm personal attachment of deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend
3. sexual passion or desire.

One of my favorite definitions thought is this one:

“The benevolent affection of God for His creatures, or the reverent affection due from them to God.”

Oh, yes, His affection for all mankind is just mind-boggling. Well at least for me. You see, I don’t have a high opinion about myself. Actually, in my mind, I put myself down a lot. When these ungodly thoughts enter my mind, God reminds me through either an email from my beloved, or a friend, that I am worth a lot more that I think I am.

This upcoming Wednesday is Ash Wednesday; the start of the Lenten season. This year I am not giving up anything, but I am humbly asking the Lord to keep my eyes focused on the perfect love He displayed on the way to Calvary. He didn’t have to die for me, but He did anyway. I am certain that the road was not easy…How can someone travel a road of incredible suffering without a perfect Love? It truly is a heavenly love.

“Lord of Heaven and Earth. You know my heart. You know my thoughts. You know my future. Lord, you are the only One who perfectly loves. Lord, help me this Lenten season to remember that You loved me so much that You took the nails in my place. Lord, I am trusting that You will keep me in Your grace until Life everlasting. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.”

Blessings on your day…