The LORD Never Fails

Lamentations 3:21-24 (NIV)  ²¹Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: ²²Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. ²³They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ²⁴I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

Zephaniah 3:5,8 (NIV)  ⁵The LORD within [the city _NLT] is righteous; he does no wrong. Morning by morning he dispenses his justice, and every new day he does not fail... ⁸“Therefore wait for me,” declares the LORD...

Today my Write From the Heart post will come from another person’s heart. The following post was originally posted on Facebook many years ago. The post focuses on grief after loss of life, but I feel it can also be applied to loss caused by distance and miles as well. I have no way to track the original post in order to credit its author, but I pass it on with appreciation for their willingness to share from their heart.

In response to the comment: My friend just died. I don’t know what to do., a self-proclaimed “old guy” writes the following response:

I’m old. What that means is that I’ve survived (so far) and a lot of people I’ve known and loved did not.

I’ve lost friends, best friends, acquaintances, co-workers, grandparents, mom, relatives, teachers, mentors, students, neighbors, and a host of other folk. I have no children, and I can’t imagine the pain it must be to lose a child. But here’s my two cents...

I wish I could say you get used to people dying. But I never did. I don’t want to. It tears a hole through me whenever somebody I love dies, no matter the circumstances. But I don’t want it to “not matter.” I don’t want it to be something that just passes. My scars are a testament to the love and the relationship that I had for and with that person. And if the scar is deep, so was the love. So be it.

Scars are a testament to life. Scars are a testament that I can love deeply and live deeply and be cut, or even gouged, and that I can heal and continue to live and continue to love. And the scar tissue is stronger than the original flesh ever was. Scars are a testament to life. Scars are only ugly to people who can’t see.

As for grief, you’ll find it comes in waves. When the ship is first wrecked, you’re drowning, with wreckage all around you. Everything floating around you reminds you of the beauty and the magnificence of the ship that was, and is no more. And all you can do is float. You find some piece of wreckage and you hang on for a while. Maybe it’s some physical item. Maybe it’s a happy memory or a photograph. Maybe it’s a person who is also floating. For a while, all you can do is float. Stay alive.

In the beginning, the waves are 100 feet tall and crash over you without mercy. They come 10 seconds apart and don’t even give you time to catch your breath. All you can do is hang on and float. After a while, maybe weeks, maybe months, you’ll find the waves are still 100 feet tall, but they come further apart. When they come, they still crash all over you and wipe you out. But in between, you can breathe, you can function. You never know what’s going to trigger the grief. It might be a song, a picture, a street intersection, the smell of a cup of coffee. It can be just about anything...and the wave comes crashing. But in between waves, there is life.

Somewhere down the line, and it’s different for everybody, you find that the waves are only 80 feet tall. Or 50 feet tall. And while they still come, they come further apart. You can see them coming. An anniversary, a birthday, or Christmas, or landing at O’Hare. You can see it coming, for the most part, and prepare yourself. And when it washes over you, you know that somehow you will, again, come out the other side. Soaking wet, sputtering, still hanging on to some tiny piece of the wreckage, but you’ll come out.

Take it from an old guy. The waves never stop coming, and somehow you don’t really want them to. But you learn that you’ll survive them. And other waves will come. And you’ll survive them, too. If you’re lucky, you’ll have lots of scars from lots of loves. And lots of shipwrecks.

My dear readers, again I offer my sincere appreciation to the original author of this post; there is only one thing I would add. Remember the faithfulness of our LORD and loving Heavenly Father. He never fails. His mercies and compassions are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank you for going with us through the shipwrecks of life. Thank you for the mercy and compassion you provide each day. You will never fail us nor forsake us. We abide in you.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

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Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The LORD is Our Refuge

Nahum 1:7 (NIV)  ⁷The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble.

Psalm 91:2 (NIV)  ²I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Our lives may be full of challenges, concerns, and stressful situations. No matter what we may face on a daily basis, there is one consistency in whom we can rely—a loving LORD, who is our refuge—that place of safety and protection from the difficulties we face. With the LORD, we may still face the hard times, but we will do so with the strength and comfort the LORD provides. And that makes all the difference.

Dear Friends, I do not know what challenges or difficulties you are facing now. But I do know whom you can trust. We can trust our Heavenly Father to provide the strength and comfort you need just when you need it most.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank you for knowing and caring about each of your faithful ones. You know every situation we face and you know how best to provide comfort, strength, and guidance in each situation. You are our refuge and fortress and in You we place our trust.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

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Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The LORD Shows Mercy and Compassion

Micah 7:18-19 (NIV) ¹⁸Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. ¹⁹You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

Mercy is the act of showing kindness to those who deserve punishment. I am forever humble and grateful to the LORD for his mercy when we, when I, should receive punishment instead. God so loved us that he sent his Son to die in our place so that we all might receive mercy instead of punishment.

Compassion is not merely sorrow for another; it accompanies a sense of urgency to help. It is hard for me to grasp the full meaning of the LORD’s compassion for his creation—He loves us so deeply, and it must anger and grieve him when his creation turns away—but he does not stay angry forever and his deep compassion provides the urgent help we need—forgiveness and new life in Christ. And all this was put into place long before the creation of the world. God’s plan was always a plan of mercy and compassion.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your mercy and compassion. Thank you for forgiveness and new life in Christ. Because of your mercy and compassion, we come before you in awe and humility of heart. Thank you.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

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Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The LORD Forgives

Psalm 130:3-5 (NIV)  ³If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? ⁴But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. ⁵I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.

It has been challenging, but gradually in this retirement season of life, I am beginning to embrace the whole less is more concept. Less objects in the room creates more space. Less items on the calendar creates more time to enjoy family and friends. Less time spent dredging up old hurts, past mistakes, and memories of things we could not have changed anyway creates more peace of mind. You get the idea.

Meanwhile, how blessed we are that our loving Heavenly Father has no interest in our past flaws and failures. When we seek his forgiveness, the LORD clears away the past to provide a new life in Christ. He does not keep a record of our sins; He clears our record. He has given us his word, and in his word we place our hope.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

When I think of my own record of flaws, failures, and sins; I am humbled that you offer forgiveness and do not hold my record against me. With You, there is forgiveness. With You, there is hope.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

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Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The LORD Does Great Things

Psalm 125:4 (NIV)  ⁴LORD, do good to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart.

Psalm 126:3 (NIV)  ³The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

Sometimes when reading similar scriptures I discover interesting word selection that captures my attention. In today’s passage we find another clue to the amazing attribute of God’s generosity.

The psalmist’s first prayer is a request for the LORD to do good to those who are good. The well-worn 1965 Webster’s on my desk defines good as something favorable or highly desired. However, what captures my attention is not the human request for something favorable; I am struck with awe at the LORD’s generous response. He does not merely respond by doing something good; the LORD responds by doing great things; i.e., things remarkable in magnitude; things markedly superior to any good thing we might imagine.

Take a moment to let that sink in. Too often we think we have things figured out and we pray for this solution or that result—for something good to happen. Perhaps it is time to trust God’s response for he knows the best possible solution.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

So many times we bring our requests to you expecting something good. Yet if we are patient and if we place our trust in you, we catch a glimpse of the great things you have planned for us. Your generosity—your way and your plans—are far superior to anything we could imagine; for your plans include a future in your Kingdom. Thank you for hearing our prayers. We are filled with joy.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

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Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

A Good Word

Philemon v. 25 (NIV)  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Years ago I remember a former Pastor concluding his messages with The Giving of a Good Word; his prayer of benediction for the congregation; perhaps more commonly known to us as the Levitical Blessing.

Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)  ²⁴The LORD bless you and keep you; ²⁵the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; ²⁶the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Throughout the New Testament writings, particularly the epistles, we often find that the concluding words offer a good word of encouragement and peace to the listeners. Paul also frequently ended his letters with a good word. Here are just a few examples from the New Testament:

Matthew 28:20b (NIV)_{[words of Jesus]} “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)  May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Ephesians 6:23-24 (NIV) ²³Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)  Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all.

Revelation 22:21 (NIV)  The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

We may have no idea what our friends’ challenges might be. However, ending conversations and visits with a good word to others brings encouragement and hope.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank you for those who encourage us. May we also make every effort to offer good words of encouragement and hope to others.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

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Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

A Good Reason

Philemon v. 22 (NIV)  And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.

How wonderful it is to anticipate visits from friends or family. As soon as we receive word, we busy ourselves with cooking and cleaning to make sure everything is “just right” for their arrival. In our passage today, Paul tells Philemon to make preparations, and for a very good reason; Paul hopes to visit Philemon soon.

There is another event which gives every Christian a good reason to prepare. This event will come suddenly and without warning. Although the specific date is unknown, each person must begin preparations now; stay alert; be ready.

2 Peter 3:10-16 (NIV)  ¹⁰But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. ¹¹Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives ¹²as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. ¹³But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. ¹⁴So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. ¹⁵Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. ¹⁶He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters.

We have a good reason to prepare—the best reason possible—Christ will come again—soon!

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the promise of the Second Advent when Jesus Christ will return to claim his faithful ones. Remind us that the reason for your delay is to allow time for others to choose to follow you. Renew in us the urgency of the expectation of Christ’s return.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

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Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

A Good Job

Philemon v. 21 (NIV)  ²¹Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

My husband has a tough cross to bear because he lives with a retired schoolteacher. He laughs at my annoying habit of correcting the misuse of good and well especially when I hear it from news reporters or read it in articles...from people who should know the difference. If the quality of the job we do is good, then we have performed well. Which brings us to today’s thoughts. Today we add another level; do a good job; perform it well; and go above and beyond what is required.

In today’s passage we find that Paul holds high expectations with complete confidence in Philemon to both obey and to go above and beyond Paul’s expectations. Paul has no concern about the quality of Philemon’s ability to complete any task asked of him. Philemon’s reputation gives Paul both confidence and assurance in a good job done well.

“I do the very best I know, the very best I can, and I mean to keep on doing so until the end.” –Abraham Lincoln

“Whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well.” –Philip Stanhope, 4^th Earl of Chesterfield, 1774

“Do all the good you can – By all the means you can – In all the ways you can – In all the places you can – At all the times you can –To all the people you can – As long as ever you can.”       –mantra written and practiced by John Wesley

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Forgive our human tendency to give the minimum service with the talents and abilities you have so graciously given to us. Create in us a heart that desires to do a good job, to do it well, and to go above and beyond in our service for you.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

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Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

A Good Man

Philemon vs. 8-17 (NIV)_excerpts     ...¹⁰I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. ¹¹Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. ¹²I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. ... ¹⁵Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever—¹⁶no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord. ¹⁷So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.

Have you ever tried to remove the sticky label from a jar? Isn’t it frustrating when remnants of the label are still adhered to the surface? Years ago, I learned that a small dab of peanut butter would remove those sticky remnants of adhesive better than most advertised products. The fact is, we all carry a label...we are all sinners.

Romans 3:23    ...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

For each of us, it is the blood of Jesus Christ that removes the label of “sin” from our lives. The blood of Christ removes every trace of that sticky label. We become a new person with a new purpose for life.

In today’s passage, we see the life of Onesimus changed from slavery to fellow saint. Research tells us the name Onesimus actually means useful. How interesting to discover this good man was useful in both name and action. As the blood of Christ cleanses you, and creates in you a new person, what new purposes will you find in which to be useful?

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the gift of your Son, whose blood cleanses us from every trace of the sticky label “sin” we bear. We ask that you work within us by your Spirit to show us the ways in which we might be useful for your Kingdom.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

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Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

A Good Reputation

Philemon vs.4-7 (NIV) ⁴I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, ⁵because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. ⁶I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. ⁷Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

It can be amusing when someone unknown to us is introduced to us, and their first words are, “Oh yes, I’ve heard a lot about you.” Our typical response is to grin sheepishly and reply, “I hope it’s all good!”

That moment reinforces the concept that true character is something you are when no one is watching. Our reputations are built during times we are aware; but also during times we are unaware. As Christians, we remember that others are watching our reactions and responses to life’s daily challenges. Not only this, but others also watch to see how we interact with one another.

In today’s passage, Philemon is acknowledged as a person who “refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.” Can you think of a better reputation to have than to be known as someone who refreshes the hearts of others?

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the times you have refreshed our hearts through others when we needed it most. Now work in our own heart; give us the mind and opportunity to refresh the hearts of others in need. Remind us that we are a reflection of your love in a world who desperately needs you.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

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Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

 

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.