Sword of the Spirit – Water of Life #1095

Posted on May 1, 2020 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1095

“Water of Life”

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. – Revelation 22:17

When scientists look for life as we know it on other planets they look for the presence of water. Water sustains us and without it our bodies would shrivel up and die. It is no wonder then that God’s Word uses physical water as a metaphor to teach us about eternal life. The Water of Life speaks of the Holy Spirit’s work in the life of a born-again Christian.

… Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”… Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. – John 4:10-14; John 3:5

Water hydrates our bodies such that our cells are provided with oxygen and nutrients to maintain health and vitality. So too, The Water of Life flows through us bringing the Love of Christ to others.

…Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive… – John 7:37-39

Water refreshes us physically as The Water of Life refreshes us spiritually with hope and confidence in the Word of God.

And he said to me… To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. – Revelation 21:6-7

Just as water washes and cleanses us down to our cellular level so also The Water of Life cleanses us from all impurities and the stain of sin.

…Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit; If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – Acts 2:38; 1 John 1:9

Like the steady flow of water that carved the Grand Canyon, The Water of Life wears away obstacles and all that hinders our walk with Jesus.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. The path of the righteous is level; you make level the way of the righteous. – Psalm 119:105; Isaiah 26:7

Water rehydrates our bodies and softens hardened, dehydrated cells. So too, The Water of Life rehydrates our hardened hearts that we may walk in obedience to the Word of God.

For thus says the One … whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. – Isaiah 57:15

May The Water of Life flow to you and through you bringing encouragement, love, peace, joy and the presence of Jesus to all you encounter in this life and to eternity with Him.

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Sword of the Spirit – Asking God #1094

Posted on April 24, 2020 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1094

“Asking God”

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened… – Matthew 7:7-9

The Bible has so much to say about asking God, yet for many Christians this remains a most confusing aspect of our relationship with our heavenly Father. Church doctrines also vary widely on the topic which adds to the confusion. So how do we balance the sum of the Scripture on the topic?

We begin by acknowledging that God is Sovereign and His Word is Truth without error. Our Father in heaven is not an eternal ATM where all we need to do is follow a prescribed set of prayers, make our request and receive what we want. We cannot presume to usurp His throne and place ourselves in His position. His will prevails.

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will; And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. – Ephesians 1:1; 1 John 5:14-15

In addition, we need to understand and accept that God does not always say, ‘Yes’. God sometimes says ‘No’ and ‘Not Yet’. Our Father loves us more than we can imagine and He wants the best for us. Jesus prayed in the garden for the cup to pass from Him, yet God allowed the crucifixion to proceed. Paul prayed for the ‘thorn in his flesh’ to be removed and God told him ‘No’. We have to trust in God and in His perfect will for us. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11

God wants us to ask – but with the right motive. Like the Janis Joplin song asking God for a Mercedes because her friends all had Porsches, are our prayer requests merely ‘keeping up with the Jones’? …You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. – James 4:2-3

Our prayer requests should glorify Jesus and bear fruit for the kingdom of God.

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son;  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. – John 14:13; John 15:16

Our Father wants us to ask – but in the right context. We must not ignore God until such time as we need something from Him. We must have an abiding relationship with Him through Jesus. This abiding presence of Jesus gives us faith, confidence and casts out doubt.

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you; And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” – John 15:7; Matthew 21:22

May your hearts’ desire align with God’s perfect will for you through the abiding presence of Jesus.

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Sword of the Spirit – Brokenhearted #1093

Posted on April 16, 2020 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1093

“Brokenhearted”

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. – Psalm 147:3

To be brokenhearted means to be overcome by grief or despair. There are many things in this life that cause us grief and breaks our hearts. The passing of a family member or dear friend. The rejection by others, family or neighbor. The loss of health, possessions or job. All these things and more work to crush our spirit and break our hearts. Indeed, God anointed Jesus to bind up our broken hearts.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted; The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. – Isaiah 61:1; – Psalm 34:18

If we are honest with ourselves we will acknowledge that much of what breaks our hearts is self-centered and has to do with our hurts and less to do with compassion for others. David writes as much in Psalm 69.

Reproaches have broken my heart, so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none. – Psalm 69:20

As born-again Christians, we are to be like Christ in every facet of our life. We have to die to self, rejecting selfish desires and allow Jesus to open our eyes and hearts to see others through His eyes and compassionate heart. The Lord heals our grief and broken hearts and asks us to follow Him so that our hearts can be broken for what breaks His.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. – Galatians 2:20

What breaks the Lord’s heart?

Jesus wept; And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it…The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And…it grieved him to his heart; … And he looked around at them…grieved at their hardness of heart… – John 11:35; Luke 19:41; Genesis 6:5-6; Mark 3:4-5

Sin breaks God’s heart. Hardened and unrepentant hearts break His heart. Does it break yours? Are you comfortable being forgiven without repentance? Do you continue to toy with temptation to sin by making lifestyle choices that could trip you up?

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears… – Hebrews 5:7

Are your prayers self-centered or deeply compassionate interceding for others’ need of the Lord’s touch to heal, forgive, and save? Is your heart broken for the lost?

May the Lord heal your broken heart and break your heart for what breaks His.

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Sword of the Spirit – Watch Your Step #1092

Posted on April 8, 2020 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1092

“Watch Your Step”

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. – Galatians 5:16

God’s Word has much to say about walking. The word is used not only in the context of the physical act of walking, but also to describe a lifestyle character. Our ‘walk’ can be immoral or moral. It’s character can be worldly or it can identify with the Kingdom of Heaven.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light – Psalm 1:1; Ephesians 5:8

God’s Word exhorts us to watch our step.

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise; for we walk by faith, not by sight. – Ephesians 5:15; 2 Corinthians 5:7

Wisdom to walk by faith comes from the Living Word of God.

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.; Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. – Romans 10:17; Psalm 86:11

Our Christian walk is not aimless wandering. It has a direction and a purpose with guidance.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path; And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.– Psalm 119:105; Isaiah 30:21

The world tempts our carnal nature to turn off of the path of righteousness. Our Christian walk needs to remain steadfast.

Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil; I am the Lord your God; walk in my statutes, and be careful to obey my rules. – Proverbs 4:14; Ezekiel 20:19

During Holy Week we reflect upon the Passion of Our Lord Jesus. He suffered and was crucified for the forgiveness of our sins. He died and was buried in the tomb – but that is not the end of the story. By the power of God, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day so that we may also walk in the new life of Jesus.

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. – Romans 6:4

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called. – Ephesians 4:1

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! May you walk with Him in newness of life.

Happy Easter!

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Sword of the Spirit – Numbered Days #1091

Posted on March 31, 2020 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1091

“Numbered Days”

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90:12

Psalm 90, penned by Moses, is rich with meaning and perspective. Our reference Scripture verse is bracketed by the worshipful acknowledgement of the Sovereignty and eternal nature of God and by a keen awareness of the frailty and temporal nature of humankind. Given this perspective, he asks to be taught how to live properly.

So teach us – Do you have a teachable spirit? We can be so prideful at times that we refuse to learn from God. All too often we are too preoccupied with our to-do lists and self-imposed priority deadlines that we choose to not sit and learn from the Lord. Remember Martha and Mary? Mary sat at the feet of the Lord being taught by Him. …Martha was distracted with much serving…but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her. – Luke 10:38-42

Prioritize your day to be taught by the Word of God. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, – 2 Timothy 3:16

To number our days – The original Hebrew word means to count or reckon. To reckon means to come to a conclusion following a calculation. We cannot count what we do not yet have or know the extent of time allotted to us. Therefore we can only conclude that we should not live with reckless abandon expecting that there will always be a tomorrow. Teaching us to number our days is being made aware of how fragile, frail, and finite we are in this body on earth.

O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath…yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. – Psalm 39:4-6; James 4:14

That we may get a heart of wisdom – Do you treasure His Words of Wisdom? The purpose of being taught to number our days is to gain a heart of wisdom so that we can live out each moment of time we have according to His will and purpose and for His glory.

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. – Proverbs 2:6; Ephesians 5:15-17

We are living in some trying and difficult times right now with the Covid 19 pandemic. For many of us, our future plans and activities that preoccupy our days have all but disappeared as we shelter in place. Take this ‘quiet time’ opportunity to be taught by the Lord to number your days and seek a heart of wisdom to know how to live them out in accordance with His will and for His glory.

May the Lord bless and provide for you and keep you safe!

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Sword of the Spirit – Shelter in Place #1090

Posted on March 18, 2020 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1090

“Shelter in Place”

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. – Psalm 91:1-3

As the Covid-19 pandemic sweeps the world we see how fragile and vulnerable we really are. Widespread panic fueled by fear is bringing an economic crisis equally as devastating as the virus itself. Those who place their trust in themselves and what they possess are panic-stricken. Christians, who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, need to be a stabilizing force during these difficult times.

PRAY – Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. – Psalm 57:1

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

PREPARE – Even at the time of Passover, the Lord gave specific instructions for preparations to be made. We need to make wise and prudent preparations, without panic or hoarding and always with an eye for those who need our help and encouragement in the Lord.

On that same night I will…bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. – Exodus 12:12

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith…be strong. – 1 Corinthians 16:13

TRUST – The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. – Psalm 28:7

But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. – Psalm 3:3

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. – Isaiah 26:3

I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.– Psalm 16:8

HEAR THE WORD – NOT THE HYSTERICAL HYPE – For the righteous will never be moved…He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. – Psalm 112:6-7

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” – Isaiah 41:10-13

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. – Numbers 6:24-26

May you shelter in place in the shadow of the Almighty in Jesus’ Name. Amen

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Sword of the Spirit – Persuaded #1089

Posted on March 12, 2020 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1089

“Persuaded”

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. – (Romans 8:38-39)

Have you ever done something you regretted and then doubted that God would forgive you or still love you? This is a lie that Satan plants in your thoughts to drive a wedge between you and Jesus. The enemy seeks to steal your peace and weaken your spiritual resolve and effectiveness in service of the Lord.

The word ‘sure’ in our reference Scripture from the ESV is translated ‘persuaded’ and ‘confident’ in other translations. This Greek word has as its root the word for ‘faith’. We are to have faith that persuades us and gives us steadfast confidence that nothing can separate us from the love of God.

We cannot muster up such persuasive and confident faith. We cannot earn it. It is a gift from God.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, – (Ephesians 2:8)

This gift comes from the Holy Spirit fire kindled in our hearts as we encounter God through His Living Word.

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. – ( Romans 10:17)

Even though faith is a gift, it is entirely acceptable to ask for more.

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” – (Luke 17:5)

And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. – (Luke 11:9-10)

Contemplate for a moment on the enormity of the gift of salvation that God has provided for you through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. He even gifted you the faith to believe and be saved. Reflect on all that God has brought you through in this life and provided for you in your times of need. Try to imagine all He will do in the future in eternity beyond this temporary life in the body.

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” – (1 Corinthians 2:9)

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father… that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you… may have strength to comprehend …what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. – (Ephesians 3:14-19)

Rejoice, worship and give Him Praise! Nothing past, present, or future can separate you from His love.

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Sword of the Spirit – Be Reconciled #1088

Posted on March 5, 2020 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1088

“Be Reconciled”

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. – Matthew 5:23-24

It has been said that harboring bitterness and unforgiveness is like a cup of poison that we drink hoping to inflict hurt on someone else. Scriptures testify to the truth of this maxim.

When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; – Exodus 15:23 In the Hebrew culture a poisonous plant was called ‘bitter’. The waters of the oasis at Marah were bitter (poisonous) and useless.

Now, those who profess to be Christian are to be salt and light in this dark and evil world. They are to be sources of ‘Living Water’. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. – John 7:38; Proverbs 4:23

Therefore, how can a Christian harbor bitterness and unforgiveness in their heart and be able to fulfill their calling as a servant of Christ? Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?– James 3:11

When we harbor unforgiveness we are living according to the law of sin and death and not allowing the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus to transform our hardened heart. …Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit, –  Deuteronomy 29:18b

Sowing seeds of the flesh (bitterness, unforgiveness) will reap corruption (destruction and decay). Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.– Galatians 6:7-8

Is keeping your pet demon of bitterness and unforgiveness worth the price of the Father’s forgiveness of your sins? but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. – Matthew 6:15

Be reconciled while you have the chance. Esau ran and embraced Jacob. (Genesis 33:4) The father ran and embraced his prodigal son. (Luke 15:20)

Perhaps you have been hurt by loved ones or by a friend. Perhaps they are continually being hateful and hurtful to you. The temptation is to harden your heart and become bitter toward them. Resist the temptation in the Name of Jesus. Pray for those who hurt you and let the Holy Spirit’s refining fire move on their hearts. The battle belongs to the Lord. Just as God healed the waters at Marah, He can heal your relationships. Trust in Him.

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger…be put away from you, along with all malice. Put on then…compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. – Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:12-13

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Sword of the Spirit – The Lord Will Fight For You #1087

Posted on February 26, 2020 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1087

“The Lord will Fight for You”

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts…and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord‘s, and he will give you into our hand.” – 1 Samuel 17:45-47

Where are the battle lines drawn before you today? So many of us are faced with battles from many fronts and we feel overwhelmed.

One battle front may be physical health for our self or a loved one.

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise;  O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. – Jeremiah 17:14; Psalm 30:2

Another battle front may be relational where there is division in family or friends and there is a need for forgiveness and reconciliation. Strongholds of bitterness have hardened hearts and only the Lord can soften them. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. – 2 Corinthians 10:4

Regardless of the battles you are facing – Victory will come through Jesus. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. – Psalm 121:1-2

The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent; Be still, and know that I am God. – Exodus 14:14; Psalm 46:10

This call to be still and silent does not imply passivity and inaction but rather to have the inner peace that surpasses all understanding – the peace from the indwelling presence and power of Jesus Christ. Be strengthened by prayerfully meditating on the Word of God. May these Scriptures encourage your heart as you face your battles in the Name and Power of the Lord of hosts.

You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf…’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.” – 2 Chronicles 20:17

for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’ You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you.’ – Deuteronomy 20:4; Deuteronomy 3:22

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles; What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? – Psalm 34:17; Romans 8:31

Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – Psalm 35:1 Corinthians 15:57

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Sword of the Spirit – Better is the End #1086

Posted on February 19, 2020 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1086

“Better Is The End”

Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.- Ecclesiastes 7:8

In Ecclesiastes chapter 3 Solomon wrote about a time for everything – each with their beginnings and endings. Indeed our lives on this earth are characterized by such cycles encompassed by the span of time from our birth to the time of our passing into eternity to be with our Lord. Some matters are short cycled, others are prolonged. Either way, God’s Word tells us that the end will be better than its beginning.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28

God’s Word also instructs us that it is better to be patient in spirit than to be proud. We tend to grow impatient during some prolonged trials and in our pridefulness we decide to ‘help God out’ in bringing the matter to an end. This will almost always end in disaster and at the least we will miss out on God’s best for us in the situation.

He has made everything beautiful in its time… – Ecclesiastes 3:11

What are you going through right now that has you wearied and troubled? It is when we are physically and emotionally drained that the enemy seeks to sow seeds of doubt and worry. We wonder how much longer, and what good can come of this. The remedy is to immerse yourself in the Word of God – soak in it – remain in the continual presence of Jesus and He will give you peace and comfort.

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. – John 14:1 (NLT)

Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. – Hebrews 10:35-36

And though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great. – Job 7:8

I like how Spurgeon describes the hope we need during trials. ‘Hope itself is like a star-not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity.’– C.H. Spurgeon

May the Lord renew your strength and encourage your heart with hope and trust.

…they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. – Isaiah 40:31

The end of a matter is better than its beginning.

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