There’s no denying that this life … it’s just incredibly hard, at times. Diseases like dementia, Alzheimer's, cancer, and a whole bunch more plague our mortal bodies. Despair robs us of any sense of peace, rest, and joy. Death comes … and loved ones are left with a void so deep that mere time doesn’t heal. Add to that the financial hardships, the mental/emotional turmoil, the state of the economy, and the spiritual struggles we face … yes! Life is hard.
That’s not the end of the story, though! Not for the Christian!
For us who know Jesus in a personal relationship, there’s supernatural grace to rest … come what may.

And I came here to talk to you about it today.

We finished up ~uh, I think, we finished~ the book of 1 Thessalonians in Sunday School today. And in a way that can only be described as a “God-thing,” it tied in beautifully with this morning’s sermon … taken from Romans 8:28-30.

In both passages (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 and Romans 8:28-30), the Apostle Paul reveals that the sufferings of this life aren’t in vain. That there is a purpose … and he, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, gently shifts our gaze. From this life to the one that is to come. A life that will have no sorrow, sickness, pain or death.

What is that purpose?
To conform us into the image of Jesus Christ.

Um, okay. I know some are saying it because I've said it ... and I'm known for saying out loud what others think but don't say ... so let me say it here: That’s all well and good … but … what about TODAY?!

As one of my best friends grieves the recent loss of her brother.
As friends -who are my family, both of whom I completely adore- are facing major health challenges. As unspoken goodbyes bring an end to one’s hope of restoration.
As the Christian fights with all they have every single day to stay mentally well.
And so much more.
What about today?!

How can we -as Christians- rest?
How can we know with absolute certainty that what God says, what He has promised, will happen?

Friend, we can rest -even in our todays, however hard they may be- because we have a sovereign God! We can rest in His character! And because He is TOTALLY sovereign, we can rest in His Word, His promises … We can rest IN HIM.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 tells us plainly that the LORD will bring His Word to pass. So, if we can rest in Him with that which is eternal, I dare say that we can rest in Him with whatever we are facing in this life.
Through the grief.
Through the uncertainty, fear, anxiety, loss, instability.
We can trust Him. And we can learn to rest. Because He’s given us grace to rest.

Romans 8:28-30 is a beautifully rich text.
We can rest in the LORD because we know His sovereign work is for our good.
“Know” in this passage -and all throughout the Sacred Script of God- isn’t just about mere head knowledge and facts. It’s so much deeper. It involves a deep understanding … a humble confidence … and trust. And it’s foundational to the Christian faith.
The word “work” in verse 28 is in the aorist tense. That just means it’s an ongoing action. And THAT should, I pray, bring us hope … and a peace that paves the way for us to rest. Because the LORD is continually working on behalf of His children, we can rest in knowing that God doesn’t waste anything.
The good.
The bad.
The ugly.
He causes ALL of it to work together for our good and for His glory.

Our life details are held in His nail-scarred hands. And are the means by which He sanctifies us … and according to Philippians 1:6, He will see it to completion.

As we travel this path, called life, headed to the Celestial City (Heaven), may we do as Pilgrim did in Pilgrim’s Progress … may we press on. Knowing that He who has promised is faithful!
May we rest in the One who holds our future in His hands (quite literally … our future bears the shape of nail scars).
 
I need to give 2 disclaimers:
(1) The 2 passages today are conditional … I know, I may get a lot of backlash for this & that’s okay … but these passages are NOT universal promises. A simple reading of the text indicates this. These promises are for those who have acknowledged Jesus as LORD & Savior of their lives.
So, if you know Jesus personally, these promises are for you.
However, if you don’t know Jesus personally, they aren’t for you … not yet, anyway. But I’d love to talk to you about Jesus. Leave me a comment here (it is closely moderated) or email me (with JESUS in the subject line) at [email protected] if you’d like to know more about Jesus.

(2) Romans 8:28-30 often causes division among believers due to what’s known as the Doctrines of Grace … I do NOT have any answers as far as what verses 29-30 mean exactly when it comes to God’s sovereignty in salvation. I don’t want to be on one side or the other, honestly. Leaving room for mystery and unanswered questions is okay for me. What I DO know, beyond a shadow of a doubt is that:
 
JESUS paid it all
All to HIM I owe
Sin had left a crimson stain
HE WASHED IT WHITE AS SNOW!

And because of Jesus … we have GRACE TO REST … COME WHAT MAY!
 
To the glory of God alone.
Soli Deo Gloria! 
​

I recently heard a sermon from Psalm 103 … The blog post “BLESS THE LORD” highlights that sermon.
Today … July 15, 2024, two days out from tragic events that rocked this nation, those truths echo within the chambers of my heart.
July 13, 2024. Events so tragic, it seems I can hardly breathe as I read & re-read the news stories. Our nation is in great peril, and my soul … it’s just sad. And horrified.
I’m a small-town author with a great big God … and only He can provide the TRUE HOPE we need as a nation. And the prayer of my heart is to bring you His truth, His hope ... in the wake of tragedy.
I didn’t learn of the assassination attempt until Sunday … and one of the first questions in my mind was this … How have we -as a supposed Christian nation- gotten HERE? Crimes are overlooked. Dangerous criminals are roaming the streets … (Memphis, TN,- a city just north of where I live- just ranked the 9th most dangerous city in the WORLD.) And people are seeking to murder a man running for president. WHY?!
As I sat in my chair, the one word the LORD brought to my mind was … EVIL!
The events of Saturday, July 13, 2024, were simply EVIL.
So … what now?
Where do we turn our eyes? NOT on an idealized, “savior” version of Donald Trump … that’s nothing short of blasphemous idolatry! And it’s disgusting! Isaiah 45:5A says plainly, “I am the LORD, and there is no other …” So, can we PLEASE STOP comparing Trump to Jesus!??!!! Jesus is incomparable! 
We turn our face to the One who reigns forevermore. We sit at HIS nail-scarred feet, listen to HIS voice … and catch our breath IN HIS PRESENCE.
It’s in times like these where we MUST actively choose to remember! And say, through tears and shock and grief, “BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL!” ... just as the psalmist, David, did!
Following tragic events, our nation cries out: “God! We need You! Help! Heal our land!” … churches tend to have more in attendance & pleas for justice pour forth … and yet, somehow, the halls of Heaven seem silent. Prayers simply echo within the portals of Heaven. And there seems to be only silence … which causes greater levels of fear, heartache, grief, and uncertainty.
But I’m here to tell you, Friend, that Heaven isn’t silent! Not on this issue or any other issue we take before God. I fear that we -as a nation- have turned a deaf ear and a blind eye to what God has said. We quote it … from pulpits and in conversation. We post it on our social media platforms … but, I dare say, we aren’t applying His Word. And the High King of Heaven and earth will not be mocked.
What are we missing? 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “…if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” {emphasis added}
Are we doing this? From all indication, the answer is NO. We are missing genuine repentance among God’s people.
While our daily lives may not look exactly like the lives of those who don’t know Jesus (although, a lot of times they do look exactly like the lives of those who don’t know Jesus), are we gossiping and slandering? Lying? Endorsing what God forbids while remaining silent on those issues He says to speak out against (think false teachers/unqualified leadership/abuse, etc)? Are we being a voice for the voiceless? Fulfilling the Great Commission? Standing for truth, even if we are alone?
The events of this past Saturday are beyond tragic! Stories, that make my skin crawl, are still emerging. And there are no words in the English language to describe some of these stories. My heart breaks for the family of Corey Comperatore, the other two victims’ and their families, for President Trump and his family, for the gunman’s family. For the rally attenders. My heart breaks for America.
I know Jesus well enough to know that His heart is broken and grieved … over Saturday’s events and over the state of the United States of America. Because … simply put, that’s just the kind of LORD that He is. Psalm 103:8-12 (written to God’s people) says, “The LORD is compassionate & gracious, slow to anger & abounding in lovingkindness. He will not always strive with us; nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
Can YOU say with the psalmist, David, “Bless the LORD, O my soul”? … no matter the circumstances …
Are you looking to Jesus or to a mere mortal in Washington DC (or anything/anyone else) for your hope, security, and peace?
My prayer is that July 13, 2024, would be a pivotal point for our nation … that we -who bear the name ‘Christian’- will repent of our wicked ways (both personal sins & national sins), seek the LORD with a humble heart, and pray! For each other, for our leadership (including -especially- those we don’t agree with rather than saying/posting derogatory things about them), for those we encounter on the highways and byways of life … and may we, after the LORD has changed us, wait expectantly for the LORD to heal our land.
SOLI DEO GLORIA!
For the glory of God alone!