Mary Cantell

Nov

13

A glorious future

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One can only imagine the hardship of existence under the dominating command and control of foreign empires. That’s what the Jews were forced to endure before they were carried away from their homeland. Can you envision uprooting your lifestyle at the whim and fancy of dominating brutes and then be forced to move away from your home?

Jeremiah spoke to the Jews in the midst of their suffering and told them they would live in a place called Babylon for at least 70 years. He told them to settle down, build houses, marry, and even pray for the peace and prosperity of the city in which they now found themselves (Jeremiah 29:4-10).

Christ followers presently facing difficult life situations and struggles also can take comfort in the words spoken by this prophet. While God’s response is not always to provide immediate escape or rescue from difficult situations or bend to our inclinations…sometimes, he stirs things up in ways we don’t understand. Though it’s not in vain. He proclaims through Jeremiah that when you “call on me and come and pray to me… I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 19:12-13).

There is comfort in these words that God will not forsake us. God promises that He has a plan to prosper his people no matter the outcome as we foresee it. Walk by faith in His promises.

 

Nov

06

You’ve got a friend

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Friends are great. Without them, where would we be? These people are supportive, loving, and often go out of their way to come to our aid whenever we need them. A true friend sometimes sticks by even closer than a brother, the Bible says in Proverbs 18:24.

While we appreciate our friends, what’s even greater is that Jesus is so much more; he’s both our savior and our friend. He’s been called a prophet, a priest, and a king when he walked the earth. Today, he’s all of that—and more.

Prince of Peace, Bright Morning Star, the Alpha and the Omega…the list of Jesus’ names goes on…but with all of the titles Jesus owns, the fact that he is our friend, too, is stunning.

But what about the here and now? What’s Jesus done for me lately, you may ask?  If you have to consider that question, you may want to look no further than the book of John.

“For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but has everlasting life” ~ John 3:16

 What Jesus accomplished on the cross in doing his Father’s will is everything we’ll ever need. When we have a personal relationship with the Alpha and the Omega, we have it all!

Oct

29

Got thanks?

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 Thanks. Just a word. Though it is short, it’s meaning encompasses so much. When we thank people, we’re expressing not only our appreciation but also our heart’s gratitude. If there’s anything that deserves our utmost thanks, appreciation, gratitude and, ultimately, our praise, it’s our blessed Lord.

When things go well for us, it’s easy to give thanks and praise, but when we are chastened or if God allows something to occur that is not of our choice, the thanking and praising may grow quiet.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” ~ 1Thessalonians 5:16-18

God is there and aware of all we’re enduring. Out of love for us, he works in ways that often are beyond our comprehension. We can thank and praise him for being in control of the storms that enter our lives and for sustaining us while in their midst—no matter the outcome. Just remember that it’s all to conform us more into the image of Christ. It’s for our holiness.

Science bears out that giving thanks and having gratitude lends positively to our lives. As Christians, we already know this. Giving thanks is rewarding not only to the recipient but also to the giver. Thanks and praise be to God!

 

Oct

22

Deep water

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Are you in deep water? Trials and fears beckoning at the door? The Bible is full of heroic accounts of men who faced more adversity than the average person in the way of personal struggles, and their stories are living examples of how each one endured with the help of God.

Like Job, David, Stephen, Paul, Daniel, Joseph and many other saints from old, they leave us examples of their individual trials that run from devastating hardship to temptation to even unjust persecution. Trapped in dire situations—even unto death—they maintained an abiding faith as they rested in the spiritual arms of God.

The faithful will sometimes be sifted and refined like choice silver and gold. It’s our test. Though like all of those before us, we are given hope that as they survived their trials to tell the tale–only through the power of God—we are able to as well.

He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters – 2 Samuel 22:17

But there’s more… The future is secure and lends much hope for Christ followers. A new kingdom is coming one day. Not like this present earth—no, it will far surpass it. There will no longer be any deep water to drown us. The only water will be the fount of living water that flows through Christ from whom all blessings flow to us both now and throughout eternity.

Oct

15

Be well in Him!

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If God is for us, who can possibly be against us?

When the Israelites were taken into Babylonian captivity for 70 years, the words of the prophet Isaiah tell us the Lord God of Israel was right there in their midst. He told them to fear not; he would help and strengthen them and uphold them with his righteous right hand.

In difficult times of trials and troubles, Jesus—and he alone—is the only healing balm we need. He directs the course of great rivers, and by his power, the very atoms in the nails that pierced his flesh while on the cross were held together with his own mighty strength! What is your life’s situation that he cannot handle, guide, or direct you into the place you should go?

Even on your worst day, the calming peace of Jesus can satisfy like no other. He leads us beside the still waters and restores our souls. His peace is like a river, and it flows as a fountain of blessings to his faithful followers, who put their trust fully in Him.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” ~ Isaiah 41:10

Oct

09

Safe in HIS arms!

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As believers in Christ, we are “safe and secure from all alarms…” so the hymn’s lyrics say. It’s true. We’re also, “under his wing…and safely abiding.” Even more amazing is that Christ’s love will be with us forever.

The Lord promises his children that he will never leave them nor forsake them. As small and insignificant as we sometimes feel, each of us is truly significant above and beyond measure in the eyes of our Creator, and his love for us will continue throughout eternity.

The Lord is always near and available for an early morning meeting or a late-night chat, as well as any time in between.  He can speak to us in various ways—through his Word and even in our dreams. Often, his communication comes in that still, small voice or prompting. It can come when we are alone or even in a crowd.

 It’s not always easy to hear his voice in a world filled with chatter and noise. With all that goes on in our lives, being still from all of the distractions is sometimes hard to come by. Though sifting through the muck and mire of every day concerns, his voice may be soft, but it’s always there—steady, sure, and powerful.

Even to your old age I will be the same,

And even to your graying years I will bear you!

I have done it, and I will carry you;

And I will bear you and I will deliver you ~ Isaiah 46:4

Oct

02

How great is our God!

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The magnificent works of the Lord are above and beyond amazing. Can mere words do them justice? There really aren’t words enough to describe or measure the goodness of the Lord. Taking the rich abundance of all he supplies, it would take an eternity to count the blessings God bestows. Surely, we’d run out of numbers!

We are so blessed by what our Creator lends us for life on this planet every day. He brings the sunlight, provides the food for harvesting, and His word tells us that the rain, too, falls on the just as well as the unjust. His blessings are new every morning.

Take a look at the natural beauty of the sky, the mountains, trees, flowers or an eagle and marvel at the handiwork of our Lord. If he can be concerned for such things as the tiny ant, how much more for you?

Therefore, you are great, O Lord God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears ~ 2 Samuel 7:22.

As God has given us life more abundantly, we need to make it a priority to share the good news with others.

The goodness of God is infinitely more wonderful than we will ever be able to comprehend ~ A.W. Tozer

Sep

25

Loving the Lord

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It’s not hard to be endeared to those who are loving toward us and not a threat to our well-being. Some folks are so easily lovable… like a piece of bread… without pretense nor agenda. And others—those we may find prickly, officious, or who take our advantage—may take time to warm to. Though as children of God, we are called to love everyone the same regardless.

As for our God, it is amazing to know that he loved us despite our own prickliness, officiousness, or worse, our sin and unbelief! So, why should we act any different toward others?

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” ~ Romans 5:8

 The question to ask is:  How do we love something so ethereal…so holy…and what we can’t physically see? The best place to start getting to know someone is by talking to them, spending time in their world, and finding out what makes them tick. It’s the same for God. His message to mankind—his love letter to us—is found in the Bible. Along with prayerful meditation and conversing with him daily, by reading his story, we can grow closer to him. Becoming familiar with his word, the better our acquaintance with his marvelous truth. When we become surrendered to him, the more we will grow to love him and allow his Holy Spirit to love others through us.

Sep

19

Love for his bride

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By his grace, God has proven over and over again how much his people—the church—mean to him. Our Lord rejoices over us. How lovely is that?

As the story goes of Hosea and his wife Gomer, God delivered a powerful message to the people regarding their unfaithful behavior.  As Hosea’s wife, Gomer was unfaithful to her husband, returning to a life of prostitution; so, God felt betrayed by Israel’s infidelity as well. However, it wasn’t the end of the story. It didn’t end in divorce.

With every covenant God has made with man from Abraham through David and on down through the ages, God has remained faithful to Israel, an unfaithful people. Though man let go of his end of the relationship and left God in the back seat through sin, he has always remained faithful to us.

Though man broke the relationship through sin, God found a way to restore the relationship. That is where Jesus Christ enters the picture. The penalty for our sins ends at the foot of the cross. The Bride of Christ is now clothed in pure whiteness without spot or blemish, thanks to Jesus. We look forward to the marriage supper that one day will occur. Until then, like the parable of the ten virgins, be ready to meet the bridegroom as we are his bride!

The Lord’s loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness” ~ Lamentations 3:22-23

Sep

11

Shine on

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What’s the point of lighting a candle? Is the purpose for a candle to be set on fire and then placed in the closet? Or is it for hiding under the bed? Shouldn’t it be raised high and put on a candlestick, so the light may shine?

God’s word tells us to let our light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life”

~ John 8:12

What is this light? Is it not the Holy Spirit that dwells within all believers? This light allows us to be filled with thankfulness, love, joy, peace, hope and more as we walk the paths our Lord has for us.

Through the power of his light in us, we can face whatever may befall us because we know that as saved people, God is our guide. By our shining lights, we are walking proof that there is something special inside of us, and it becomes evident in our thoughts, words, and deeds.

So, let your light shine. Don’t hide it under a bushel. Keep the light on…to light your way and also to help light the way for others who may walk in darkness.