Aches and Praise Six Hundred & Ninety Five

December 27, 2024
 
 
Dear friends,
 

In last week`s blog post, we looked ahead to Christmas and now we look back. For many people, this is a difficult time of year as they remember loved ones who are no longer living. Karen and I are grateful that this month we were able to see all of our family, including our seventh grandchild – Benjamin Hudson Deming – who was born nearly three weeks before the estimated due date.

In the Word of God, we read that the birth of Jesus was prophesied many years before His arrival. Isaiah 9:6 declares:

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”
 
All of us have made promises that we have not kept, but God’s promises have all been kept. The apostle Paul told Agrippa:
 
“And now I am standing trial for the hope of the promise
made by God to our fathers; the promise to which our twelve
tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day.
And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews.”
 
Acts 26:6-7
 

Friends of ours have a cushion with these words on it:

“Way maker,
miracle worker,
promise keeper,
Light in the darkness,
My God, that is who You are.”
 

When I looked on the Internet, I learned that these words are in a song which was recorded in 2019 by Leeland. In thinking about the amazing attributes of God, some of the lyrics in the hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” came to mind:

 

“Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
blessings all mine with ten thousand beside.”
 

In the October 2024 edition of “Turning Points” magazine, Dr. David Jeremiah writes: “The promise of a better day in the future changes the way we see today. Every person on earth experiences tears, death, sorrow, crying, and pain. How does one manage those experiences without the sure and certain hope that they will one day be removed?

The way we view the future has a tremendous impact on how we live in the present. Without the hope of a better day tomorrow, it is difficult to experience a better stay on this earth today. But the opposite is also true: the promise of a better day tomorrow makes for a better stay today.”

In recent weeks, we have learned that several friends and family members are going through physical challenges. Please pray for Gregg who has been receiving medical care.

As we look forward to the dawn of a new year, let’s remember the many blessings that God has given us in the past and seek to share His Word with those who have yet to repent of their sins.
 
Scripture for the weekend: “But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 6:22-23 (NASB)
 
Thought for the weekend: “You are not fighting for victory, but from victory, for Jesus Christ has already defeated Satan!” – Warren Wiersbe

 

By His grace,
 

Steve


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