Promise for Today: The Nearness of God

May 11, 2011

“A bruised reed he will not break, and a soldering wick he will not snuff out.” Isaiah 42:3 NIV

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 NIV

A bruised reed…

You’ve been there, haven’t you?

No longer bending in the breeze,

but broken… Read more

Promise for Today: Empty Tomb, Full Heart

April 18, 2011

Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He has been raised from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples he has been raised from the dead, and is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.” Matthew 28:5-7 NLT

“Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. They worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy.” Luke 24:51-52 NLT

The empty tomb was a promise in itself. But none of Jesus’ disciples understood. When Jesus died, their hearts were empty. Their world collapsed. For three years, day and night, they ate, slept, and breathed Jesus. He was Life to them. What would they do without Jesus? Read more

Promise for Today: Strength for Tomorrow

February 25, 2011

Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! Psalm 27:14 NKJV

The promise for today has a condition: waiting. But finding strength for today–and tomorrow– is God’s promise. Isaiah 40:31 carries the same thought and promise.

Waiting is not easy. My husband and I have often joked that we’ve spent the majority of our lives in God’s waiting room. The times I failed to wait proved disastrous. But always, without exception, God offers strength when we learn to wait on Him.

Whether it’s waiting on Him, for Him, or with Him, waiting is not passive. When God is leading, it’s always an adventure. With Him, it’s always worth the wait.

Does your heart need strengthening? When is it hardest to wait on God? Share your comments.

This is the second in our “Promise for Today.” Once a week, I’ll blog a Bible verse promise. And once a week, I’ll share a regular blog: a devotional, story, inspirational words, encouraging helps, or book giveaway. Which is most helpful to you? I’d love for you to share your comments below.

Love Like the Father’s Heart

November 14, 2010

Photo by tatlin at stock.xchng

Do we…can we…mirror the Father’s heart? How can we love more like God? How can we show more love like the Father’s heart? I wrote this poem several years ago, (another one with apologies to Rudyard Kipling) and it was first published by Warner Press.

LOVE LIKE THE FATHER’S HEART 

By

Rebecca Barlow Jordan

If you can love your brother with true unselfishness,

 living not just for yourself, but for his happiness;

If you can treat your neighbor with kindness, pure and sweet,

 Not looking for reward or gain, not bent on fame or greed;

If you can lift one heart that’s down, or touch another life;

 refrain from judging motives, avoiding needless strife;

If you can try to understand a little more today

  and help a weaker brother again to find his way;

If you can smile when trouble comes knocking at your door;

 and glean from every problem a lesson that’s in store;

If you can live your life each day as if it were your last,

 forgiving every debtor, forgetting all the past,

If you can offer grace to those so desperate for love—

 You’ll find your life’s a mirror of the Father’s heart above.

That’s certainly my desire. How about you? Most of the time I fall very short! Only God can love through us. We can’t do it ourselves! 

My Prayer for You

Here’s my prayer for you: Father God, teach us more about how to love like You do. Clean the smudges off our “mirrors” so we can reflect You more accurately. Jesus, we want to look more like You–and love more like You!

Due to unforeseen circumstances, my blogs have been delayed a bit. We’re back on track now. As always, feel free to leave your comments (or your own poem) in the section below. You may forward (e-mail) this as well as most of my blogs to  friends, post to facebook, etc., as long as you do so in its entirety, and that you use the buttons below,  always making sure you provide the link to my website. Please do not use as a blog on your own site without securing permission first.  

Don’t forget to encourage someone today!

Watch for a series of daily blogs coming in December!  

Related Posts:

Love is Something You Are

Extravagant Love                                                  

What Makes God’s Heart Sing?

April 27, 2010

Live a good life. Do things that please God. Keep all the rules, right? Strangely enough, even Christians can get caught up in that mindset—without realizing it. What is it that really makes God’s heart sing? Read more