Christ is not a disappointment!

Have you been hurt and betrayed by someone close to you? A spouse, a close friend, someone in your church family you had confidence in? The pain of disappointment is suffocating and tears flow freely.

It helps me think how disappointed Jesus must have been when He asked His closest friends to watch and pray — repeatedly — and instead they slept. Or when a man He discipled betrayed Him for a few silver coins, or when Peter denied He was his disciple.

What did Jesus do? He loved. He forgave. He blessed. 

These are the responses we can have to those who disappoint us. It will hurt. We may grieve over the lost trust, but in our pain, let us like Jesus, love, forgive, and pray for those who disappoint us. And remember, the same Jesus who was disappointed by those He loved most will never be a disappointment to us.

Christ is not a disappointment!

Every longing in my breast

Finds, in Him, complete fulfillment,

He has brought me into rest

I have tested Him, and proved Him

more than all I dreamed He'd be

Christ is not a disappointment,

He is all in all to me!

C. Harold Lowden

🛈 Source Pamela J. Kuhn  (via AvisMarvin Blowers)

 💔 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).

• Broken hearts think God is far away, when he is really most near to them; their eyes are holden so that they see not their best friend. Indeed, he is with them, and in them, but they know it not.” (Spurgeon)]
• A bird with a broken wing, an animal with a broken leg, a woman with a broken heart, a man with a broken purpose in life – these seem to drop out of the main current of life into shadow. They go apart to suffer and droop. The busy rush of life goes on without them. But God draws nigh.” (Meyer)

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrew 4)

 Linked to: Sweet Tea & Friends August Link Up

Where Does Your Hope Come From?

There is never a time when we may not hope in God. Whatever our necessities, however great our difficulties, and though to all appearance help is impossible, yet our business is to hope in God, and it will be found that it is not in vain.*

“The nature of hope is to expect that which faith believes” (Richard Sibbes).

4 Inspiring Bible Verses about Hope

1. Psalm 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
2. Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
3. Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
4. Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Citat Jeff Christianson

When we are encompassed and surrounded by pressure-filled circumstances, our temptation is to put our hope in changing the situation. We tell ourselves, “If only x were to happen, then life would be better.” Instead of focusing on our circumstances, we need to turn our eyes to the resurrected Christ.

Read: Jesus Christ, our Living Hope

To whom or what do you place your hope in?

My answer? 

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus' blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly lean on Jesus' name

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand

When darkness veils His lovely face

I'll rest on His unchanging grace

In every high and stormy day

My anchor holds within the veil

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand

His oath, His covenant, His blood

Support me in the whelming flood

When all around my soul gives way

He then is all my hope and stay

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand

When He shall come with trumpet sound

Oh, may I then in Him be found

Dressed in His righteousness alone

Faultless to stand before the throne

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand

🎧 What is hope (John Piper)

💓 Where Does Your Hope Come From?

🙋 What is a good way we can respond when we are tempted to fear?

* George Mueller, from Soul Stillness (via AvisMarvin Blowers)

What's is your burden?

Because Jesus is the Almighty God, His people have an Almighty Burden-Bearer. We are a burdened people. Every believer carries a burden peculiar to himself. 

What is your burden?
What is your burden, o believer?

Come, oppressed and burdened believer, ready to give up all and sink! Behold Jesus, the Almighty God, omnipotent to transfer your burden to Himself, and give you rest! It is well that you are sensible of the pressure — that you feel your weakness and insufficiency — and that you are brought to the end of all your own power.

Turn to you almighty Friend
Now turn to your Friend, who is the Creator of the ends of the earth— the everlasting God, who does not faint, neither is weary.

🛈 Source: Oxtavius Winslow (via AvisMarvin Blowers)

----

Avis Blowers

My friend Avis Blowers went to be with Jesus on January 19. You can still visit her account with wonderful quotes and pictures. She taught me some wise lessons about prayer. I was allowed to use her facebook texts for my blog. I will miss her. But for Avis I am glad that she is now with our Lord and Savior forever. 

Come to me

Coming back to 'the Octavius Winslow citat' she was sharing I say: Yes, our God is the Burden Bearer. In Matthew 11:28, He gave us an invitation, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” 

🙏 Are you coming?

I will give you rest

'Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden

and I will give you rest'

for you should know whose image you were made in

and at whose table you are guest

Lay down the anxieties of this life

let them fall at Christ's own feet

forget your suffering, pain, and strife

for your redemption is now complete

for every problem you've ever had

has been taken care of by the Father's love

for now you are completely clad

in something unexplainable from above

you are clothed in righteousness and strength

you are perfection in God's sight

for Christ went to even death's length

to heal you from your sinful plight

so when you feel the weight of sin

call on the name of the Lord

and remember who you are within

a child of God named and restored

so no longer will your sin be laid in

for you God will never detest

'Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden

and I will give you rest'

Andrew Jones

Ask Him again!

Ask, and keep asking! I know, I know, you’ve already asked Him a million times, I see those eyes rolling. But today, ask Him a million and one. Yes. Ask Him AGAIN. 

That mountain to move
Ask Him again for that child to come home. That marriage to be healed. That mountain to move. Ask Him again for that friendship to mend. That work to begin. That end-of-tunnel light to appear.

Even if that 'one' is you

Ask Him again for the one who needs rescue, the one who needs healing, the one who needs new direction, new guidance, new focus. Yes. Even if that ‘one’ is you. Ask Him again for what you need. For what you want. For joy in the sorrow. Help in the struggle. A sip of living-water in the heat of your schedule...and the time to just sit at the well, amen? Ask Him again.

No matter how dry it is now

Ask Him again to provide springs in your land; and while you’re at it, give thanks for that land, no matter how dry it is now, knowing He’s given it to you with good purpose. Yes. Ask Him again. Ask Him again to dig up the soil and plant the seeds. Ask Him again to stir up and settle, make and remake, pour out His peace that passes all understanding, because frankly; you could use a hefty dose about now. Yes. And Amen.

Ask Him, believing He can

Ask Him again for all that seems lost and all that seems nowhere even near the city of possible...and ask Him believing He can. Yes. Ask Him again.

And if it’s His Will... He will
Not because you don’t think He heard you the first million times, but because you are realizing the longer you {truly} live, that persistence is a pretty strong faith-builder; not to mention how close it keeps you to Him for whom all things are possible and nothing is too hard, and because faith-based strength to persevere and closeness with your Creator is what you REALLY need. Whew. Yes. Absolutely. Ask Him again. With fresh eyes and a renewed spirit and a passionate resolve that He can, and if it’s His Will... He will.

🛈 Source: Tara Cory Elness (via Avis Blowers)

🙏 You can never overburden God too much!

ROLL IT ALL UPON ME

It is by an act of simple, prayerful faith we transfer our cares and anxieties, our sorrows and needs, to the Lord.

. 

Jesus invites you to come and lean upon Him, and to lean with all your might upon that arm that balances the universe, and upon that bosom that bled for you upon the soldier's spear!

But you doubtingly ask: 'Is the Lord able to do this thing for me?' And thus, while you are debating a matter about which there is not the shadow of a shade of doubt, the burden is crushing your gentle spirit to the dust. And all the while, Jesus stands at your side and lovingly says: 'Cast your burden upon Me and I will sustain you.

I am God Almighty. I bore the load of your sin and condemnation up the steep of Calvary, and the same power of omnipotence, and the same strength of love that bore it all for you then, is prepared to bear your need and sorrow now. Roll it all upon Me!

Because Jesus is the Almighty God, His people have an Almighty Burden-Bearer. We are a burdened people. Every believer carries a burden peculiar to himself.

What is your burden, O believer?

• Is it indwelling sin?
• Is it some natural infirmity of the flesh?
• Is it a constitutional weakness
• Is it some domestic trial?
• Is it a personal or relative trial?
• Is it the loss of property?
• Is it the decay of health?
• Is it soul anxiety?
• Is it mental despondency?

Come, oppressed and burdened believer, ready to give up all and sink! Behold Jesus, the Almighty God, omnipotent to transfer your burden to Himself, and give you rest!

It is well that you are sensible of the pressure - that you feel your weakness and insufficiency - and that you are brought to the end of all your own power.

Now turn to your Almighty Friend, who is the Creator of the ends of the earth - the everlasting God, who does not faint, neither is weary.

📕 from Christ's Sympathy to Weary Pilgrims, by Octavius Winslow (via Avis)

IN CHRIST ALONE

                          

My friend Avis is very ill. 

She shared God's Word every single day on Facebook and she allowed me to use it on my blog.

💗"Our" blogposts

Marvin, her husband wrote:  

I often sit at the piano different times and enjoy "worshiping" by playing many hymns and gospel songs. Most times I just play, but last night I decided to sing along so Avis could hear the words and she wanted me to continue-- so for about an hour, we "worshiped" together as I "serenaded" her with so many songs that blessed our souls. 

I remembered

I remembered a short story Avis posted earlier this year on facebook. Sharing it today below the picture, but first one of 'her' quotes, she shared 7 weeks ago:

Worship is a believer's response to God's revelation of Himself. It is expressing wonder, awe, and gratitude for the worthiness, the greatness, and the goodness of our Lord. It is the appropriate response to God's person, His provision, His power, His promises, and His plan. Nancy Leigh DeMoss

 

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10)

Every name and title of Jesus Christ

Theological convocations are not usually scintillating. According to Dr. R. C. Sproul, they tend to be academic and sometimes tedious. But he will never forget one incredible speaker at a convocation at a prestigious seminary. The topic centered on Jesus Christ. The well-respected, elderly professor climbed the steps to the podium, cleared his throat, smiled, and then spent the entire 45 minutes slowly repeating by heart every name and title of Jesus Christ:

Rock of Ages... Redeemer... King of Kings... Bread of Heaven... Living Water... Son of God... our Sure Foundation... Good Shepherd... Fairest of Ten Thousand... Savior... Mediator... our Advocate... Alpha and Omega... the Stone the Builders Rejected... Beginning and End... Wonderful Counselor... Friend of Sinners... Great Physician... Anointed One... Healer of Broken Hearts... Lamb of God... Prince of Peace... Blessed Hope... our Atonement... Mighty Fortress... Shelter... the Narrow Gate... Lord of Grace... God of all Comfort... Word of Life... Rose of Sharon... Lily of the Valley... Bright and Morning Star... Glorious Lord... Immanuel... Living Word... Chief Cornerstone... Creator... Ancient of Days... the Eternal One... Author and Finisher of our Faith... First and the Last... Son of Man... Almighty God... Resurrection and the Life... the Way, the Truth and the Life... Everlasting Father... Captain of the Lord's Army...

Focus on Jesus

At the end of the 45 minute litany of the names and titles of Jesus, the entire audience was reduced to quiet tears. This is what happens when we focus on Jesus and all that He has accomplished. Meditate on each of these names -- and more, if you have a concordance -- and express your appreciation to God for all that the Lord Christ achieved on your behalf.

🛈 Source: Joni Eareckson Tada (via Avis Blowers)

In ANY circumstance we can say, "For this I have Jesus."

In Christ alone

My hope is built on nothing less

than Jesus' blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

but wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;

all other ground is sinking sand,

all other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils his lovely face,

I rest on his unchanging grace;

in ev'ry high and stormy gale,

my anchor holds within the veil. 

His oath, his covenant, his blood

support me in the whelming flood;

when all around my soul gives way,

he then is all my hope and stay.

🙏 Let's ask God would wrap his arms around Avis and her family during this time.

BROKEN PIECES

What good are the broken pieces of your life? There is an artist who takes the broken pieces of china and glues them together in various forms to make incredible art.

All of us have broken pieces in our lives and sometimes we can't see HOW those broken pieces will be used to make something beautiful. Sometimes we feel that our efforts to repair and rebuild are futile. Some of our lives even seem to be shattered beyond repair.

But, those seemingly worthless pieces can be put together and used to fashion something beautiful and something that can be used to help others.

Whether you're broken as a result of divorce, abuse, neglect, alcohol, or drugs, know that your pieces can be salvaged and used for good in your life, and in the lives of many others.

Source: Family Minute via Avis Blowers
......................................................................................................

Something beautiful, something good

All my confusion He understood

All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife

But He made something beautiful of my life

If there ever were dreams

so lofty and noble

They were my dreams at the start

And the hopes for life's best were the hopes

That I harbored down deep in my heart

But my dreams turned to ashes

And my castles all crumbled, my fortune turned to loss

So I wrapped it all in the rags of my life

And laid it at the cross.

Chorus:

Something beautiful, something good

All my confusion He understood

All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife

But he made something beautiful of my life

He made something beautiful of my life...of my life.

🎧 Bill and Gloria Gaither

• Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted. And binds up their wounds.
• II Corinthians 1:3,4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
• Psalm 34:7  The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
• Hebrews 4:15,16  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

This is why Jesus came!
 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised (Luke 4:18)

LEAN UPON YOUR GOD

I thank my God on every remembrance of you .... being confident of this very thing, that he which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Philppians 1:6)

What a sweet portion is this for the aged disciples of the Lord Jesus; heart and flesh may fail them, but God will not forsake them. Having begun a good work in them, he will carry it on. He will be as kind, as tender, and as gracious at last as at the first. He will carry us. 

The eternal God is our refuge, underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33:27) 

He will carry us safely through every danger, over every difficulty, into his presence and glory.

Lean upon your God

Aged pilgrim, lean upon your God; look unto him; and as the nurse carries the sucking child, so will your God carry you. He will prove himself faithful to his word, and ultimately call you forth as a witness to the same.

God will support you

Fear not then in reference to the evening of old age: your God will supply you; He will support you; and at last land you safe where the storms of trouble never blow, where weakness and fear are never felt.

Take no anxious thought for the morrow; let the morrow take thought for the things of itself; sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof (Matthew 6:34). 

The promise of your God cannot fail you; He will guide you and carry you to his kingdom and glory.

Source: James Smith  (with thank to Avis)

OUR SAVIOURS PRAYERS

How encouraging is the thought of the Redeemer’s never- ceasing intercession for us. When we pray, he pleads for us; and when we are not praying, he is advocating our cause, and by his supplications shielding us from unseen dangers.

I have prayed for thee. Luke 22:32

Notice the word of comfort addressed to Peter.

Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.

We little know what we owe to our Saviour’s prayers. When we reach the hill-tops of heaven, and look back upon all the way whereby the Lord our God hath led us, how we shall praise him who, before the eternal throne, undid the mischief which Satan was doing upon earth. How shall we thank him because he never held his peace, but day and night pointed to the wounds upon his hands, and carried our names upon his breastplate! Even before Satan had begun to tempt, Jesus had forestalled him and entered a plea in heaven.

Notice, he does not say, “Satan hath desired to have you.” He checks Satan even in his very desire, and nips it in the bud. He does not say, “But I have desired to pray for you.” No, but “I have prayed for you: I have done it already; I have gone to court and entered a counterplea even before an accusation is made.”

O Jesus, what a comfort it is that thou hast pleaded our cause against our unseen enemies; countermined their mines, and unmasked their ambushes. Here is a matter for joy, gratitude, hope, and confidence.

---

Thank you so much Avis, for for bringing Spurgeons' devotion to memory.

• Nederlandse versie: HIER

GOD'S WAY IS STILL THE BEST WAY

Concerning all the anxiety that abounds....

1. The Bible STILL has all the answers. 
2. Prayer STILL works. 
3. The Holy Spirit STILL moves on hearts. 
4. God STILL inhabits the praises of his people. 
5. There is STILL God-anointed preaching.
6. There are STILL wonderful songs of praise to God. 
7. God STILL pours out blessings upon His people.
8. There STILL is room at the cross for weary, sin laden souls to be saved from their sins. 
9. Jesus STILL loves you. 
10. We are STILL the object of His love.  

God's way is STILL the best way and the right way.

~ Mike Hobbs (with thank to Avis)

LITTLE BIRD UNDER MY COAT

My friend Avis shared a nice story on Facebook: 

Some years ago, as I was passing along one of our streets one afternoon, I heard a fluttering of birds over my head and, looking up, saw a little bird flying wildly about in circles, chased by a hawk! The bird flew down lower and lower, and then darted into my bosom, under my coat. I cannot quite express to you, the feeling which filled my heart at that moment! That a little bird, chased by an enemy, had come to me for refuge, trusting me in time of danger.

I laid my hand over the bird, which nestled as quietly and confidently under my coat, as a baby would in a mother's bosom. I carried the little thing along for several blocks until I thought the way was clear of danger, and then let it out. It flew away into the air again, but showed no fear of me. 

Ever since that experience, I have understood better what it is to fly into the bosom of Christ for refuge and safety in time of danger, or in time of distress. All this helps me to understand better what it means to Jesus when we, hunted and chased by enemies, or suffering from weakness or pain--fly to Him and hide ourselves in His love... with no fear, no anxiety, but with simple trust.

J.R. Miller

Avis: All this helps me to understand better what it means to Jesus when we, hunted and chased by enemies, or suffering from weakness or pain, fly to Him and hide ourselves in His love, with no fear, no anxiety, but with simple trust.

5 BIBLE VERSES ABOUT TRUSTING GOD

1. Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble
2. Psalm 62:7,8 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
3. Psalm 91:1-9 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
4. Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
5. Habakkuk 3:19 GOD the Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like those of a deer; He makes me walk upon the heights! For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments.

If God be in our hearts, by his word dwelling richly in us, we shall be established, we shall be helped. Let us trust and not be afraid. 

DON'T HIDE YOUR FACE

My friend Avis shared this little story on her Facebook. I really love it:

Robert Lewis Stevenson, best known for his adventure story Treasure Island, was in poor health during much of his childhood and youth. One night his parents found him with his nose pressed against the frosty pane of his bedroom window. Child, come away from there. You'll catch your death of cold, his mother fussed.

But young Robert wouldn't budge. He sat, mesmerized, as he watched an old lamplighter slowly working his way through the black night, lighting each street lamp along his route. Pointing, Robert exclaimed: See; look there; there's a man poking holes in the darkness. (Peter James Flamming)

🙏 My Prayer  

Dear heavenly Father, today I feel so oppressed by the powers of this broken world. Hold me fast, Lord and poke holes in my darkness. Shine upon me. Don't hide your face from me. Give me strength to deal with the difficulties on my path and with my doubts. Help me in Jesus name. Amen.

Psalm 143

Don’t hide your face from me,

or I’ll be like those who drop down into a pit.

Make me hear of your love in the morning,

because I rely on you.

Make me know the way I should walk,

because I entrust myself to you.

Adonai, rescue me from my enemies;

I have hidden myself with you.

Teach me to do your will,

because you are my God;

Let your good Spirit guide me

on ground that is level.

•  Marty Goetz and his daughter Misha singing the Aaronic Benediction. 🎼 

JOHN PIPER

What feels like darkness to you is not darkness to God. He’s in the bright light, and he knows how to take care of you. 

If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me;
Even the night shall be light about me.
Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee;
But the night shineth as the day:
The darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

HOW DO WE GLORIFY GOD?

Once a Christian leader was very sick and not expected to live. Alone with the Lord, He cried, "What should I do, Lord?" God spoke to his spirit: "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." The man, the director of a large Christian organization, realized that he would not have said it that way. He would have said, "The chief end of man is to glorify God and serve Him forever." But God is not satisfied with service; He wants us to enjoy Him.

TO ENJOY

The Lord allowed the man to recover from his illness, and he now lives with a different purpose. He lives to enjoy His Lord.

So how do we glorify God?

WITH JOY

Rachel Barkey said: "A few years ago, I was struggling with the daily grind of constantly cleaning and tidying, laundry (which I detest), trying to meet project deadlines, cooking meals and washing dishes, replying to work emails, refereeing disagreements with the kids, homeschooling, only to turn around the next day or even the next moment to have to do it all over again. I thought, Is this it? Is this all that I'm supposed to be doing?" Then she came across a blog of someone who put it so succinctly: "I am here to serve with joy." Rachel said, "I was serving--just like Jesus, but I wasn't doing it with joy. Big difference. I have many roles, but in all of these I have one purpose--to be like Jesus, to serve with joy."

Life is filled with meaning when our chief purpose is to give God glory by enjoying Him.

Delight yourself also in the LORD: and he shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

John Piper said: God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. So, dear Jesus, my purpose for this day is to enjoy You.

Aletha Hinthorn 
Aletha's Books

• Extremely grateful! Thank you Avis, that you give me the persmission to share this wonderful message!