Thousands of years ago, the children of Israel would lift the words of Psalm 143 to the Lord, a song begging for guidance and deliverance. The words were written by David, who first garnered attention in the courts of King Saul for the soothing songs he would play on his harp—but Saul’s adoration would soonContinue reading “God’s Word doesn’t sugarcoat what it sometimes feels like to be a Christian.”
Tag Archives: hope in Jesus
For those wrestling to understand
Jacob wrestled with God. That’s too much for my mind to even conceive. Except, I’m wrestling. Not in the physical sense, but certainly in that I’m trying to understand what God is doing through some exhaustingly hard things in my life. I know it’s true that God routinely does things we do not understand forContinue reading “For those wrestling to understand”
Ancient words of encouragement for our hard days.
Tender words. Paul had lived them. “What was gain to me, these things I have counted loss for Christ” (Phil 3:7) As he sat in a Roman prison writing this letter, Paul looked back at all he had before he had radically encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus. He recounts these things in PhilippiansContinue reading “Ancient words of encouragement for our hard days.”
How can we find CALM in our CRAZY WORLD?
The Apostle Paul has just written those famous words, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil 1:21) He goes to say, he wasn’t sure which he would choose. He knew being with Christ would be far better, but he also knew serving out his purpose on earth, shepherding the flock, would reapContinue reading “How can we find CALM in our CRAZY WORLD?”
Let’s hold that up to some sunlight and share what we see!
It’s very likely the Apostle Paul would find himself in trouble in our culture as he did in his. Given the opportunity to stand for truth or remain safely accepted by this world, Paul chose to be a truth-teller. He probably would have had his Twitter suspended and his ministry page on Facebook restricted ifContinue reading “Let’s hold that up to some sunlight and share what we see!”
Though this world seems out of control…
Have you noticed when we first come to know the Lord, our joy is tremendous, we find peace we have never experienced, and we walk in hope we never had before? BUT THEN, time and daily life begin to creep in and the hard realities of this “not-yet” side of Heaven begin to wear manyContinue reading “Though this world seems out of control…”
All true, but what can we do?
Yesterday, I shared a concern about where we are heading. Many of you shared it and the question was raised, “but what can we do?” Let me preface this by saying, I do believe- This pandemic is serious and confusing. Some people are dying, while others only get the sniffles, if that, when infected. OurContinue reading “All true, but what can we do?”
Are we approaching the End of Days with a missing America?
It’s easy to shake our head at all that is going on with our country. Honestly, I wonder if we are about to lose this great nation. Are we approaching the End of Days where America seems to be missing, or at least, irrelevant? How long will God have mercy on us? How long willContinue reading “Are we approaching the End of Days with a missing America?”
Will God really sustain us to the end?
God will sustain us to the end (1 Cor 1:8, ESV). And even after reading those words, the “buts” and the “what-ifs” begin to assault my mind. Even after years of Bible studies and church attendance, my mind, can imagine circumstances so hard, it feels like God would stop sustaining me. But the truth is,Continue reading “Will God really sustain us to the end?”
An update on my health
If you know me, you know I typically don’t approach Scripture by the “flop it open and read method”. I like to read in order, context, etc. But this morning, I lay in bed in the dark praying, “God, please just let me keep hearing from You”. I saw the heart failure and transplant specialistContinue reading “An update on my health”
Remember there’s a battle you can’t see, and PRAY!
I couldn’t sleep. I woke up early thinking about this world (and, to be honest, my own little world). I was reminded of my study of Daniel about a year ago— Daniel is praying fervently as the Lord, through Gabriel, explains the things which are to come— the destruction of Jerusalem, the coming of theContinue reading “Remember there’s a battle you can’t see, and PRAY!”
No FEAR!
It is affecting the hearts and minds of many. I’m not saying we should not take this pandemic seriously or take precautions. I’m not saying that at all. What I am seeing though is so incredibly sad, and it breaks my heart. It’s fear without hope. It’s gripping. It’s suffocating. It’s consuming. Many. It’s notContinue reading “No FEAR!”
Monday Morning Life and Peace
Have you ever read a familiar passage of scripture and suddenly, something just stands out to you, that maybe, you never really noticed before? I’ve honestly thought to myself, though I know it’s not true, “God, did you just put that there?” This happened to me just recently as I read my Bible. Paul wasContinue reading “Monday Morning Life and Peace”
Though we see trouble, let’s keep trusting one day at a time.
As I process the news of my heart troubles, your prayers and encouragement are so incredibly dear to me and our family. I am slowly reading through your many comments. Thank you. As I thought about the passage I shared yesterday, where Daniel literally becomes sick over what God has shown him will happen toContinue reading “Though we see trouble, let’s keep trusting one day at a time.”
Our tears don’t mean we are faithless.
I posted this on this day last year. It seems so fitting in this day. So thankful God is okay with our tears—- I find myself in Daniel 7 and 8. And it’s hard to read. I slow down. I back up. I pull out commentaries. I see that many great theologians, like John CalvinContinue reading “Our tears don’t mean we are faithless.”
God is NOT absent in the HARD THINGS we face.
Most believers I know will tell you they don’t fear physical death because they know they will be with Jesus in the blink of an eye. We believe God sent His Son to taste death for all of us (Heb 2:9) and through His death He destroyed him (the devil) who had the power ofContinue reading “God is NOT absent in the HARD THINGS we face.”
And so I’ll rest…
Well okay, my life is Yours God.But it’s still mine, right? You wouldn’t ask me to go through THIS, right? Really? But God, truly, if I’m honest, I feel like perhaps I’ve already gone through so much. Haven’t I learned what You’ve been teaching? What, there’s more? But God? I really don’t think I canContinue reading “And so I’ll rest…”
Hold on! One day this mourning will be turned into DANCING!
Just a little over a week ago, my husband held me and we danced. What a blessing it was. But, I have cried lately too—about Afghanistan, about a friend’s little daughter dying of cancer, and other friends who have lost loved ones to this pandemic. I have spoken with many others dealing with hard, stressfulContinue reading “Hold on! One day this mourning will be turned into DANCING!”
Hey, don’t forget where REAL hope is found!!
I can’t remember what had caused me to fear way back then, I just remember her response. Oh, how I miss my wise friend. She’s with Jesus now. She told me, “When the world is crazy, when you don’t know what to do, draw closer to Jesus. Be prepared to give an answer for theContinue reading “Hey, don’t forget where REAL hope is found!!”
How NOT to worry in these hard days
It’s dark outside. My house is quiet. I haven’t turned on the news yet, but I already had a “flash flood watch” pop up on my phone. But my anxious heart, it’s been on a sort of “watch” for days. …trouble seems to be looming around every corner—earthquakes, Hurricane Ida, CoVid, Afghanistan, inflation, division… IContinue reading “How NOT to worry in these hard days”
Kim Jaggers Ministry 