Today’s Reading: Matthew 1:1-7, Isaiah 11 & 16

Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. – Isaiah 11:1

In that day the heir to David’s throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world. The nations will rally to him, and the land where he lives will be a glorious place. – Isaiah 11:10

Then God will establish one of David’s descendants as king. He will rule with mercy and truth. He will always do what is just and be eager to do what is right. – Isaiah 16:5

I will give him the key to the house of David—the highest position in the royal court. When he opens doors, no one will be able to close them; when he closes doors, no one will be able to open them. – Isaiah 22:22

The prophecies of Isaiah gave the people of Israel hope; it gave them an expectation of what was to come. No matter what was happening in the present, they could look with eagerness towards the coming of the Messiah — the One who would bring salvation, rule with mercy and truth, and reign with justice and righteousness.

ISAIAH PROPHESIED THAT THE MESSIAH WOULD COME FROM DAVID’S FAMILY.

David was the first king of Israel and it was his son, Solomon, who built the Temple in Jerusalem, which became known as the City of David. Most of the songs or psalms in the Bible were written by David, words we continue to use today to sing praises to our God. As the people waited in eager expectation of the coming Messiah, this “clue” from Isaiah was the one that kept them focused on the lineage of the shepherd boy turned king.

There was a reason why Matthew started his gospel with the paternal genealogy of Jesus, and Luke included the maternal genealogy. The prophet Isaiah had prophesied that the Messiah would come from David’s family, so it was of great significance that Jesus was born into the lineage of David — both on his mother’s side and on his father’s.

JESUS WAS RECOGNIZED OFTEN AS THE SON OF DAVID.

The angel referred to Joseph as the son of David when he told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife (Matthew 1:20). Two blind men followed after Jesus shouting “Son of David, have mercy on us!” (Matthew 9:27). A crowd was amazed when Jesus healed a demon-possessed man who had been blind and couldn’t speak. They asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?” (Matthew 12:23).

A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.” – Matthew 15:20

Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” “Be quiet!” the crowd yelled at them. But they only shouted louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” – Matthew 20:30-31

Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!” – Matthew 21:9

The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.” But the leaders were indignant. – Matthew 21:15

“What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They replied, “He is the son of David.” – Matthew 22:42

DO I TRULY RECOGNIZE WHO JESUS IS IN MY LIFE?

So many people recognized who Jesus was — that he was the one they had been waiting for, the one who would bring salvation. The question for us is whether or not we truly recognize who Jesus is. We are surrounded by those who deny His supremacy. We are bombarded with arguments that he was just a good man. Many see the bible as simply a history book with no authority for how we live our lives today. But who do you believe him to be? Are you allowing this Son of David to be the Lord of your life?

Lord Jesus, as we focus on the story of your birth, we want to start by acknowledging where you came from and the reason you came. Help us to recognize you as clearly as the blind man did; may we acknowledge your power like the demon-possessed man did. Give us eyes to see you at work in our lives today and ignite the hope within us as we eagerly await your return. Amen.

And again, Isaiah says,
“The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
in him the Gentiles will hope.”

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:12-13

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 29; Lamentations 3; Psalm 130

This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” – Jeremiah 29:10-14

While God’s people were in exile, God sent these words of promise through the prophet Jeremiah, words that remain popular among Christians today. They serve as a reminder that God is planning for our future. Our current season may be difficult, but call on God through the hard times. Come and pray to Him, and He will listen to you; seek Him with all your heart, and you will find Him.

But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,
I wait for God my Savior;
my God will hear me. – Micah 7:7

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption. – Psalm 130:5-7

WAIT FOR THE LORD.

To hope is to believe in a possibility. It includes an expectation that a desired outcome will become a reality some day. There is an element of confidence that something can be achieved — faith that God will do what He said He would do. Hope dares to believe that nothing is impossible for God; therefore, all of His promises will come true. So in the meantime, we wait. We posture ourselves in patience, although eager for what is ahead. We allow the hard times to teach us; we allow the struggles to strengthen our faith.

I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord. – Lamentations 3:19-26

I WILL PATIENTLY WAIT FOR HIM.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. – Romans 8:22-25

Lord, in you we place our hope; in you we place our trust. We eagerly await all that you have for us, while patiently waiting for your perfect timing. As we wait, we ask for hope to grow in our hearts and for faith to strengthen our resolve. As we seek you, may we find you; as we cry out to you, we wait for you to answer our prayers. We believe that nothing is impossible for you because you are able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Replace our sorrow with joy, our anxiety with peace, and our bitterness with love as we wait patiently on you. Amen.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. – Romans 12:12

Today’s Reading: Matthew 1:1-3; Genesis 15, 24, 32, 38; Romans 5:1-5

Abraham was the father of Isaac.
Isaac was the father of Jacob.
Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers.
Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar).
Perez was the father of Hezron.
Hezron was the father of Ram. – Matthew 1:2-3

THE LIFE OF ABRAHAM TEACHES US TO BELIEVE GOD WILL DO WHAT HE SAYS HE WILL DO.

The first person mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus is Abraham, a man who was known for having such a great faith in God that He willingly packed up and followed God’s command to move to the land of Canaan. God told Abraham to look at the stars in the sky and trust that God was going to make his descendants as numerous as all the shining lights above him. And, in doing so, He gave Abraham hope.

“Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. – Genesis 15:6

God told Abraham that He would make him into a great nation, and He did. God told Abraham that he would be famous, and He was. God told him that all the land seen in every direction would one day be his, and that’s exactly what happened. Abraham had faith in God because he knew God to be faithful.

THE LIFE OF ISAAC REMINDS US OF THE POWER OF PRAYER.

Abraham’s servant prayed specifically to God for success in finding a wife for Isaac and God showed His unfailing love by clearly answering that prayer. It was while Isaac was spending time with God, walking in the fields and meditating on God, that he looked up and saw Rebekah approaching him on a camel. He recognized God’s provision in his life and fell deeply in love with this beautiful gift from God. And with this gift came the hope for a family. And when babies did not come as expected, Isaac turned to God.

Isaac pleaded with the Lord on behalf of his wife because she was unable to have children. The Lord answered Isaac’s prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant with twins. – Genesis 25:21

THE LIFE OF JACOB GIVES AN EXAMPLE OF STRUGGLING AND WRESTLING WITH GOD.

Jacob struggled to receive his father’s blessing, and his love story was complicated by the struggle he had with his uncle. Jacob wrestled with God and got what he wanted. Jacob’s struggle continued as his daughter was raped and his sons took revenge, creating powerful enemies for his family. Jacob, who had struggled with his brother in the womb, had to deal with the struggle between his sons. He grieved when he thought his son, Joseph, was dead and praised God when he was reunited with Joseph years later. Although struggle was a consistent theme in his life, God blessed Jacob and the nation of Israel was formed through his children and grandchildren.

Abraham was known for his strong faith in God and yet there were moments when he struggled to trust God to protect him. Isaac inherited his father’s faith and found that God was faithful to answer his prayers. Jacob became the master manipulator but eventually learned what it felt like to be on the receiving end of someone else’s manipulation. He struggled to accept God’s plan for his life and persistently sought God’s favor. Perez came from the unholy union of Judah and Tamar, yet God used him in the story of redemption through the birth of Jesus Christ.

As Jesus grew up, he would have been told the stories of those who came before him. From Abraham’s story of obedience, Jesus knew God to be faithful. From Isaac’s story of seeking God’s best, Jesus knew the power of praying to the God who answers prayer. From Jacob’s story of struggle, Jesus could be confident that God is with us even when we are wrestling with His instructions.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. – Romans 5:3-5

Because Abraham responded in obedience to the calling God placed on his life, I am willing to trust God with my yes. Isaac set a beautiful example for me of walking in relationship with God, talking with the One who loves me enough to answer my prayers before I finish praying. Have a wrestled with God? Have I struggled with how my life is going or what He has asked me to do? Absolutely!

I am thankful for the permission Jacob’s story gives me to be authentic in my prayers and to wear the scars of my struggles as a testimony to the goodness of God. I am who I am today because the hard times produced perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And as we become the hope that has been produced in us, shame goes away because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

DO YOU KNOW GOD TO BE FAITHFUL? TELL YOUR STORY.

Do you know God to be trustworthy and kind? Then list all of the reminders of God’s faithfulness in your life. There is evidence all around us that God is good and that His promises are true. Let’s allow God to grow our faith today as we trust in Him, even through the struggles. Let’s use the power of storytelling to impact those who could learn from our journey of hope.

Lord, I ask for you to strengthen our faith for what is ahead. Give us the desire to follow you wherever you will send us, and the humility to treat others as you have taught us. May we be the prayer warriors you have called us to be, hearing from you and recognizing the many ways in which you will answer our prayers today. Give us the courage to be honest about our struggles and persistent in our prayer life. May we see our story woven into the story of Jesus this Christmas. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Romans 5, Psalm 33 & 42

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. – Romans 5:1-2 (NIV)

Do we truly understand the meaning of the word hope? Consider the meaning of the word hope as compared to the word wish. They do not mean the same thing, yet we often find ourselves using the two words interchangeably.

If I say that I wish something would happen, I am expressing a desire for something that is unlikely to happen or maybe even an impossibility. For example, I wish someone would give the ministry I work for a million dollars, I wish for peace on earth, and I wish that no one would ever have to experience a cancer diagnosis again. All of those things would be nice, but the likelihood of those wishes coming true is slim.

But to hope is to believe in a possibility. Hope includes an expectation that a desired outcome will become a reality some day. There is an element of confidence that something can be achieved — faith that God will do what He said He would do. Hope dares to believe that nothing is impossible for God; therefore, all of HIs promises will come true.

We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in you. – Psalm 33:20-22

Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God. – Psalm 42:11

The psalmist is calling us to put our hope in God — not to place our hope in the things of this world but to focus our expectations on the God whose love is unfailing. But perhaps you are low on hope right now and need to ask God for the gift of hope this Christmas. My friend, hope is not something we have to conjure up on our own; hope comes from God. As His Spirit dwells within us, hope is unleashed. It is not something we have to find or muster up on our own; it is something we become. All we have to do is ask the God of immeasurably more to fill us with the presence of HIs Spirit so that we can experience His hope like we have never experienced it before.

Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
He is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge. – Psalm 62:5-8

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:28-31

Lord, thank you for the difference hope has made in this world and thank you for the impact of hope in our hearts. We ask for our hope to be strengthened during this season of celebrating the birth of your Son. Open our minds and increase our understanding of what it means to wait in expectation of all that is ahead. May our faith be strengthened and our hope grow in confidence as we place our trust in the One who never breaks His promises. Fill us with your Spirit so that we become the hope this world needs more of. You are our Rock and our Salvation, and we place our trust in you again this morning. Amen.

But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me,
and through the night I sing his songs,
praying to God who gives me life. – Psalm 42:8

Today’s Reading: Hebrews 6:13-20; Psalm 28 & 62

Sometimes there are disappointments in life. At times the burden we are carrying for other people is heavy enough to interrupt our thoughts throughout the day. Living out our faith does not mean that life is always easy or that everything works out perfectly all the time, but living in relationship with God gives us a place to take our fears and anxiety — it gives us a hope in what is to come. No matter how difficult things look right now, we can be confident that God never breaks His promises.

God is not a man, so he does not lie.
He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act?
Has he ever promised and not carried it through? — Numbers 23:19

I believe at times our disappointment is not that God made a promise and did not keep it, but rather that God did not do what we wanted Him to do. When things do not go our way or our prayers are not answered in the way we had hoped, we begin to doubt whether or not God truly is faithful. But in the midst of our struggles, we must remember that it is not God who is wavering.

GOD IS STEADFAST AND CONSISTENT — A ROCK TO HOLD ONTO WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE SEEMS TO BE SPINNING.

For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying:

“I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.”

Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.

Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. — Hebrews 6:13-20

GOD’S PROMISE AND HIS OATH ARE UNCHANGEABLE BECAUSE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD TO LIE.

My prayer for us this morning is that we can enter into His sanctuary, pour out our hearts to Him, and hold tight to the hope that lies before us. Thank you, God, for giving us this confidence this morning — that You never break your promises, and You never will! Amen.

Praise the Lord!
For he has heard my cry for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and shield.
I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. – Psalm 28:6-7

Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will not be shaken.
My victory and honor come from God alone.
He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
O my people, trust in him at all times.
Pour out your heart to him,
for God is our refuge. – Psalm 62:5-8

Today’s Reading: Romans 4:1-5:11, Psalm 31

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have PEACE with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and JOYfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. – Romans 5:1-2

Our study of Revelation over the last three weeks has caused a joyful anticipation of all that is coming, but perhaps it has also caused some fear or concern for others. But we serve a God of peace who wants us to look ahead with confidence and assurance. One day we will experience the glory of God in a new way, and that is something to celebrate.

Today is the first day of Advent, a season to focus on the birth of Christ as well as the anticipation of Jesus’ return. What perfect timing for us to move from John’s revelation of what is to come to the anticipation we experience when we focus on the Christ Child. In alignment with the tradition of Advent, we will journey through the experience of hope, peace, joy and love — all four of which are referred to in Romans chapter five, along with the theological concepts of faith and grace.

Consider the example of Abraham. Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping (4:18). God had made him a promise and Abraham never wavered in believing that God would be faithful, and so his faith grew stronger (4:20). He stood in confidence that God is able to do what He promised He would do. And God counted him as righteous because of his faith, just as He does for those of us who believe in Him — the One who raised Jesus from the dead.

He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God. – Romans 4:25

The story of our salvation is woven into the Christmas story. So let’s spend the next four weeks intentionally spending time in God’s presence. Let’s study His Word by the light of the Christmas tree, and once again experience the wonder of all the Lord has done for us. May hope, peace, joy and love be multiplied in our lives through our faith in God and the undeserved gift of His grace.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident HOPE of salvation. And this HOPE will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his LOVE. – Romans 5:3-5

Looking back over 2025, your mind may focus on the hardest moments and the biggest challenges, but today’s passage of scripture is reminding us to rejoice in our problems — to find joy in our struggles and a hope that can be described as confidence. For the Lord takes these difficult times in our lives and uses them to strengthen our character, to shape us into who He created us to be. And the scars of our sorrow, along with the impact of the pain, leave behind an anticipation of what is ahead. Consider these same verses as paraphrased in The Message:

There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit! – Romans 5:3-5 (The Message)

I must admit, this last year was not an easy one for me. As I experienced a new yet familiar loss, I found myself crying out to God. As I prayed, I found myself continually going back to these words, “I’m just so disappointed, Lord. I want to trust you with all of this pain and with what is ahead but I am struggling. I know you are good and I know you are faithful, but I need you to help me find my confidence in you again.” The God of all comfort used His Spirit at work in my heart to heal and to soothe as He reminded me of His love. I need the reminder of God’s faithfulness this Christmas season in different ways than I needed it last year, and perhaps you do also. Come, Jesus come.

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. – Romans 5:6-11

Lord, thank you for your generosity daily poured into my life. I am so grateful for the work of the Holy Spirit in my heart and for the confident hope I have in you. Lord, continue to take the struggles I have experienced in this life and use them to create in me a new strength of character for the sake of your eternal purposes. I am coming to you for a transformational Christmas season as I soak in the story of the gift of your Son. May my heart be forever changed by the HOPE, PEACE, JOY and LOVE reflected in the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

​​But I am trusting you, O Lord,
saying, “You are my God!”
My future is in your hands…
Love the Lord, all you godly ones!
For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him,
but he harshly punishes the arrogant.
So be strong and courageous,
all you who put your hope in the Lord! – Psalm 31:14-15a,23-24

Today’s Reading: Psalm 116:1-9

Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me. He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. And so I walk in the Lord’s presence as I live here on earth. – Psalm 116:7-9

In September of 2015, my mother was diagnosed with a diaphragmatic hernia. Her stomach, pancreas and part of her intestines had passed through the tear into her lung cavity making it difficult for her to breathe. The surgery was risky and the surgeon warned her that she might not survive. After much prayer, a peace settled over my parents and the surgery was scheduled for April 6, 2016.

On the way to the hospital that morning, my parents turned on the radio as KLOVE played Lauren Daigle’s song “Trust in You”. They knew in that moment that they would trust in God even if He didn’t move the mountain they were asking Him to move.

Initially it seemed as if the surgery had gone well, although the surgeon found more damage than he expected to find. The next few days, my mother’s health continued to decline. Early on the morning of April 10th, we received the call that she was unresponsive. We rushed to her side and spent the day watching her condition worsen. My father, sister and I said our goodbyes as they rushed her back into surgery on that Sunday afternoon.

Here is my mother’s story in her own words of what happened over the next few days:

I remember getting on the surgical table on April 6th but I do not remember the days following. The doctors and my family say it is best that way. I will tell you that the surgeons have heard my testimony and did not dispute any of my experience. On April 10th, I was rushed back into surgery. I was bleeding internally. And that is where my story begins.

I saw a veil come down that separated me from everyone. I could hear my family and friends talking but I could not respond. The veil had a small ring at the top and a larger one that held the veil from touching me. I could feel my body shutting down. My skin seemed to draw tight and my joints felt stiff. Suddenly I was being spun very fast — first one way and then another. There were loud, horrible screeching sounds, high-pitched like metal on metal, and the heat was so intense.

After what seemed like a long time, the others with me went to the right and I was sent to the left alone. I could not see the faces of the others and I don’t know where they went. The fast movement slowed to a normal pace. It was still very hot and loud. I came to what appeared to be a red wall. It melted and became orange, which also melted. The things I saw on and between these walls were so horrible; I have shared those details with only a few people.

The walls held the image of faces. There was only one that I could identify even though I feel like they represented people from my past who had rejected God. The look on each face was terrifying, and it still haunts me to this day.

Once past the walls I was in an area of pure white. Everything was so bright — not like any light we have on earth and the white was more white. It amazes me that the light didn’t hurt my eyes as I looked right at it. There appeared something that looked like shiny porcelain. Could it have been the gates of pearl? I don’t know. I was led to an area filled with white fabric. It was beautiful, soft, flowing. Again, not like anything I had ever seen.

Next I was led to 6 figures. They were clothed in the same fabric I had just seen. The fabric covered the back of each head and draped over everything except the face. Even though I couldn’t see their faces I knew who they were. I was with my mother who died in 1957, my father who died in 2003, my brother who died in 1991, and there were three grandchildren who were lost before birth. There was no communication with any of them. It was here that Jesus became clear to me in the form of a great glowing light. He said, “Not yet. I’m not done with you yet. There is still work I want you to do.”

At some point while I was still under the veil, I was aware of a presence on my left side. A voice said, “We have to do it now.” The hand of that presence pierced my left side. The pain was so intense. That hand went between my ribs into my inner being. It was so real that even yet I look for a scar. There isn’t one.

Time is totally lost to me. Some time later, still in the hospital, there was an image before me that said, “In the beginning, I created the heaven and the earth.” Suddenly a great deal of clear refreshing water washed over me. It was so realistic that I felt my clothes and bed for moisture. They were dry.

An intense heat had been with me all this time. A wet cloth and fan did not help. After this encounter with the water, the heat was gone and has not returned. I feel like God knew I needed to be baptized again because I had literally been in or through hell and needed to be cleansed.

As I began to get better, I noticed that my right hand was no longer misshaped. I could open it all the way until it was straight and I could almost make a fist. I have had high blood pressure since 2010. Now I am off the medication.

God, I don’t know what it is You want me to do — the “work” I need to be doing. I don’t know why You chose to heal me and send me back to life with my family. All I know is that I’m telling my story to anyone who will listen. And I know when You tell me what I am to do, I will do it and ask no questions.

“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy… “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the world.” – Romans 9:15-17

God was speaking to Moses but He is also speaking to me. I keep thinking, “I don’t know why He chose to let me live after my surgeries.” God is saying to me, “Don’t question God.” It was His choice to make. Rejoice and do whatever He directs. It isn’t for me to understand but to use this experience to glorify God. I’ve been home for over a year now but these experiences are just as real as can be. I love the Lord and I will serve Him until my work here is done.

“Praise His Holy Name! My heart is full and even overflowing with love for You. You have brought us through so much since April 6th. There are no words to adequately express my feeling of gratitude.” [words from her journal on 9.13.16]

Today’s Reading: Revelation 22; Psalm 27 & 30

COME TO ME

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. – Matthew 11:28-29

On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” – John 7:37-38

Our Savior is drawing us to Himself. He is saying — Come to me. Start your day with me. Enter into my presence and let me lift your burdens and restore your strength. Take my yoke upon you and let me support you on life’s journey. I long to teach you and give you rest. Plant yourself along my riverbank and let your roots grow deep in me so that I can strengthen you and sustain you during difficult times, and so I can produce fruit in your life.

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:7-8

I AM COMING TO YOU.

Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.

No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there – no need for lamps or sun – for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. – Revelation 22:1-5

“Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.” – Revelation 22:7

“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” – Revelation 22:12

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. – Revelation 22:17

COME, LORD JESUS!

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!”

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. – Revelation 22:20-21

Thank you for joining me on this chronological journey through the Bible. Tomorrow I will once again share my mother’s story of seeing heaven, as well as passing through hell. I pray God blesses you richly as you continue to daily spend time in His presence. On Sunday, we will begin a season of Advent, and then I plan to start back in Genesis with daily readings that will help me read through the Bible chronologically. I am asking God to lead me to the scriptures He wants me to study; I am asking the Lord to continue to do work on my heart through the power of His living Word.

I would love for you to continue to join me as we continue to journey through the scriptures. Each morning, I start my day with a hot cup of my morning coffee and time in the presence of the Savior. I am asking God once more to make His word alive and fresh, giving me new insights into familiar scriptures. Feel free to join me as we ask God to deepen our understanding of who He is and who He has created us to be.

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” – Psalm 27:8

Today’s Reading: Revelation 21; Psalm 28 & 29

As we near the end of the book of Revelation, we come to some of my favorite verses — the beautiful description of what it will be like when the presence of evil and sin are removed and Christ reigns victoriously! Can you picture it? Because we have never known a world without sin, hate, and disease, it is hard for us to grasp the fullness of what John is describing here. I encourage you to read the following verses aloud and let the joy of these truths wash over you.

LOOK! GOD’S HOME IS NOW AMONG HIS PEOPLE!

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

I heard a loud shout from the throne saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever!”

And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!…It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega — the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.” – Revelation 21:1-7

The God of Creation, who existed before the world began and has always existed, is also the God of the end of life as we know it and the God of everything in between. He has plans for our life we cannot fathom and He has a new heaven waiting for us that is beyond what words can describe.

LOOK! I AM MAKING EVERYTHING NEW!

The New Jerusalem will shine with the glory of God and sparkle like a precious stone. The city walls are made of jasper and the city of pure gold, as clear as glass. There will be beautiful stones of various colors making up the foundation of the city and the gates will be made of pearls. The main street going through the New Jerusalem will be made of pure gold. Let’s listen to John’s description:

I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. Its gates will never be closed at the end of the day because there is no night there. And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty – but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. – Revelation 21:22-27

Lord, we have so much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. You are a good God and your faithfulness is beyond our comprehension. We thank you for sending your Spirit to live in us as we live out our covenant relationship with you. We look forward to the day when you will make your home among your people — when there will be no more death or pain, no more sorrow or tears. You are the Alpha and the Omega — the Beginning and the End. Your light will shine forever and there will be no more night. To you we give the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Tomorrow we will focus on the last chapter of Revelation, and then I will share my mother’s experience of heaven on Saturday. Thank you to all who have journeyed with me from Genesis to Revelation over the last 23 months. I pray you have a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends, and that the presence of the Lord is evident to you today. May God bless you today, and may the season ahead be filled with the evidence of God’s goodness and His faithfulness. Happy Thanksgiving!

The Lord rules over the floodwaters.
The Lord reigns as king forever.
The Lord gives his people strength.
The Lord blesses them with peace. – Psalm 29:10-11

Praise the Lord!
For he has heard my cry for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and my shield.
I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. – Psalm 28:6-7

Today’s Reading: Revelation 20

Revelation has always been a difficult book for me to study but I have never doubted the truth in its words. I do not have a full understanding of what the final days will look like, but I do have faith that God will do exactly what He said He will do. And I am holding on to that promise in my life today — that God will do exactly what He wants to do, faithfully fulfilling His promises in me each day.

Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their forehead or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.) Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years. – Revelation 20:1-6

THE DIFFICULT TIMES WE ENDURE DO NOT GO UNNOTICED BY GOD.

There is little information on what the 1000 years will look like and much disagreement among believers on the order in which all of this will take place. What we can take from this passage for certain is that God rewards those who remain faithful during even the worst of persecutions and trials. The difficult times we endure do not go unnoticed by God, nor are they forgotten. In the same way, those who do evil and who do not remain faithful are also noticed by God.

When the thousand years come to an end, Satan will be let out of his prison. He will go out to deceive the nations – called Gog and Magog – in every corner of the earth. He will gather together for battle – a mighty army, as numberless as sand along the seashore. And I saw them as they went up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded God’s people and the beloved city. But fire from heaven came down on the attacking armies and consumed them.

Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. – Revelation 20:7-15

REBELLION AGAINST GOD DOES NOT GO UNNOTICED.

We serve a just God who deals accordingly with sin. Those who remain rebellious and unrepentant will suffer the consequences of their choices. Rebellion against God does not go unnoticed. God deals sternly with sin. Those who reject what Christ did for them when he died on the cross so they could receive salvation will experience another kind of rejection on the day of final judgment. Those who want to share in everything this world and Satan have to offer will also share the same fate — the eternal lake of fire.

Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone who has ears should listen and understand. – Matthew 13:40-43

He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. – Romans 2:7-8

This describes so many of our loved ones who are living for themselves, refusing to obey the truth laid out for them in God’s word. Do we think about their fate? Do we have a tendency to avoid tough conversations? I will be the first one to admit that it is uncomfortable to confront sin, but God also calls us to speak the truth in love. If we truly love them, we will pray the Spirit will lead us into opportunities to point them back to the light and away from the deceit of darkness. Let’s pray for God-appointed opportunities and Spirit-led conversations.

What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? – James 2:14