What to Pray in Times of Natural Disaster
September 9, 2017
In times of disaster, natural or otherwise, maybe you struggle with why’s or how to help. Some arrive in the center of the storm, ready to pluck victims from death’s reach. Others use hands, feet, boats, cars, or planes for rescue. So many send food, water, clothing—anything and everything that is needed in the aftermath of a disaster. But any of us—all of us—can give something. And we can all pray. Whether you are a victim or concerned Christian, pray in your own way. And if you’re at a loss for words while staring at so much destruction, here is a prayer you can voice to God:
Encouraging Words for Discouraging Times
August 31, 2017
Encouraging Words
In the ongoing aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, I wanted to share these encouraging words from an updated post. I hope these thoughts will encourage you today, wherever you are.
When you find yourself in a storm of impossible circumstances, how do you get through it? What encouraging words do you need to hear? Read more
Why God’s Promises Don’t Change When You Grow Old
July 20, 2017
Old is a controversial concept. You may be depositing social security checks or contemplating a second career. You could be a parent, grandparent, or a middlescent saving for retirement.
No matter what age you are now, you may be wondering, will God’s promises still apply when I grow old?
Will I have enough?
Will I still be useful?
What does God promise when you grow old?
But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow tall as the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted into the Lord’s own garden, and are under his personal care. Even in old age they will still produce fruit and be vital and green (Psalm 92:12-14, NLT).
Who are the godly?
That promise refers to the “godly.” The Bible calls “godly” those who belong to Him: Christ-ones, those whom He labels “righteous” because they have accepted the free gift of forgiveness and salvation offered them through the blood and death of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:26, John 3:16). So if your heart belongs to Jesus, that’s a promise you can expect God to fulfill:
Notice the things He promises for you in these verses:
- You will flourish like palm trees.
- You will grow tall like Lebanon cedars.
- You have been transplanted into the Lord’s own garden.
- You are under His personal care and protection.
- You will still produce fruit.
- You will be vital and green.
When did God’s promise to you begin? When He transplanted you into His garden–when you became His child.
Do God’s promises ever fail? Not according to Scripture:
The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does (Psalm 145:13, NIV)
For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn; he will never go back on his promises (Romans 11:29, TLB).
Will your life still be useful in old age?
Will your life still be useful to God? I think the key word above is still. God has always had a plan for you, from the time you were young–and even before you were born (Psalm 139).
And, He says, you will still produce fruit. After all, you are in God’s garden now. What He started producing in you earlier, He will continue to do so even in old age (Philippians 1:6).
What kind of fruit? Does God mean the fruit of the spirit? Love, joy, peace, patience… (Galatians 5:22-23). Or does He mean productivity and activity?
Whatever it means, God assures us of one thing. Our lives still matter to Him whether we are young or old. Even if our bodies grow old, our muscles sag, and our minds lag, God can still use us for His glory. We may not feel vital and green, but that doesn’t matter.
Why? Because God and His promises never change (Hebrews 13:8, MSG).
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want my leaves to wilt and turn brown. I want to be a vital part of God’s garden until my final dying breath.
The Key to Our Usefulness
The key may be up to us. How much do we want Him to use us when we grow old? Old age is not something to dread. According to God’s promise, it’s something to anticipate–a continuation of His good plan. Prepare as best you can, but cast your worries and cares on Jesus.
Leave it up to God, and cooperate with Him as to how He wants to use you. Our part is primarily to trust and believe His promise.
My Prayer for You
Open our hearts to a greater definition of old age and to Your promise of usefulness and vitality as we grow older. Thank You for transplanting us into Your own garden, where you’ve promised to watch over and care for us. With You as the Master Gardener, Creator, and Sustainer of Life, why should we worry about getting older? Thank You for Your plans for our lives that You designed before we took our first breath–and for Your promise to keep using us until we draw our last. And thank You for drawing close to us as we draw close to You. Thank You that we can still serve You and love You in ways that You will reveal each year. Keep us vital and green, always growing in You, Jesus!
Day-votedly Yours,
Rebecca
It’s Your Turn to Share
What about you? No matter what age you are now, how do you feel about growing old? Does this promise encourage you? Would you share your comments below? Your words might encourage someone today.
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What God Promises When You Stumble
June 8, 2017
The promises of God is a new personal study of mine to search out God’s promises in the Bible, and as I mentioned last week, I’d like to encourage you with a few of those findings, beginning with today’s blog.
What God Promises
I love what God promises in Psalm 37:23-24! God knows–and orders the steps of His children. He’s planned them from the very beginning. And He truly enjoys being involved in the details of our lives. Nothing is too small or too large for Him! Read more
God Restores What We Abandon
April 21, 2017
Drooping. Lifeless. Abandoned. Destined for the trash. Appropriate word choices for the plant sitting on the bargain rack of our local home improvement garden section.
But you wouldn’t describe these flowering petunias with those same words, would you?
Yet that pathetic description fit this hanging plant perfectly when I bought it a couple of weeks ago. Could it bloom again? Would it form soft, lilac petals again on its tired, worn stems? Read more
When You’re Craving God and His Blessing
March 9, 2017
When You’re Craving God
and His Blessing
by
Rebecca Barlow Jordan
Read more
Five Words That Can Change Your Life and the Lives of Others
March 2, 2017
I love words. Words can change your life and the lives of others. Words are my vocation, partly because of some encouraging words I received when I was only a senior in high school.
Years ago, a stranger clipped my senior picture from the local paper and enclosed it with a hand-written, encouraging note in the mail: “You have a beautiful smile.” Just five words–and a simple gesture that took maybe five or ten minutes, but can you guess I started flashing my pearly whites after that? Read more
12 Things to Remember When You’re Between a Rock and a Hard Place
February 16, 2017
Have you ever experienced times that leave you hanging between a rock and a hard place: times of confusion, fear, sorrow, loneliness? Relationships may fail; precious dreams die. Winters appear bleak; answers won’t come. Our circumstances vary, but we all go through them.
Jesus’s Help in Hard Times
In those times I’ve learned to rehearse some things about God, times when Jesus has walked with me, held my hand, and brought me through the hard places. These are 12 things I can remember that keep me from being discouraged. And this list is only a small portion of what I’ve recorded in my memory bank from Jesus’s track record of faithfulness. Jesus’s help in hard times is readily available. (Be sure and enter the book/drawing/giveaway today by following the instructions below.) Read more
The God Who Will Never Let Go
January 26, 2017
The God Who Will Never Let Go
by
Rebecca Barlow Jordan
Someone cut the power, unplugged your hope,
short-circuited your expectations, and left you wandering in the dark.
And questions rise like ghosts in the night:
Is anyone there? Does anyone care? Read more
3 Keys to a Happier New Year
January 12, 2017
As the new year unfolds, all of us want our year to be “happier” than the previous one. Based on Scriptural advice, here are three keys to help you experience a happier new year: Read more
You are so important to me! As an inspirational author and day-voted follower of Jesus, I love to paint encouragement on the hearts of others just like you.
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