Ashes to Beauty

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Southern California is on fire, taking homes, properties and lives. What do people do when their homes are gone? I’ve watched several heartbreaking videos and found people helping people, churches and philanthropist organizations rushing with food and water. We might think that lightning and fire are judgements from God. For sure, they are calls to prayer, prayers for restoration and revival. O Lord, I pray people turn in their hearts to look to you, that they would experience your amazing love.

I have wondered for a long time what I would do if I lost my home. The first thing that comes to mind is that our Lord Jesus lived on earth thirty-three years and did not have a home. He spent many lonely vigils in the garden or on the mountain. One time a young lawyer came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go,” and Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of man has no place to lay His head” (Matthew 8:19-20). I think of those words when I lie in comfort in my warm and comfortable bed, and I am humbled. The God of the universe knows what it’s like to have no home. He cares about each of us and wants us to have abundant life. Will you turn to Him in your trouble? If you do, you will experience amazing love. God will take you by your hand and lead you through the darkness to His wonderful light.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, let us not hold on to our comfort so tightly, but to be ready to help those in need, even if it means at a sacrifice. Help us to be humble and compassionate as you are. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Unexpected Blessings

Are you fresh out of hope? Christmas can often bring sadness or disappointment, especially during times of suffering or loss. Sickness and death, trouble and anxiety, loneliness and despair do not come at appointed times. When they come, we can hang on to hope in our Lord because He cares for us. “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7) and “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

Time Alone with God

Do you wonder how to grab on to hope? If you are hurting, hope may seem impossible for you to reach. When that happens to me, I have a place in my house that is private where I can be alone with God. I go there as a child might run into Daddy’s arms. It is the sun room, surrounded by windows. I look out and see God’s beautiful creation all around me and immediately I feel close to Him. I sit down, close my eyes and cry out to God: Holy and Merciful God, calm my anxious heart. Then I tell God what is on my mind. I tell Him how much I love Him, and I praise Him for who He is. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive” (2 Corinthians 2:3-4).

Blessed to Bless

God meets me in my despair and comforts me so that I might help someone else who might suffer as I do. This unexpected blessing overflows into the lives of others. We are blessed to bless. Friend, this is part of what God means when He says, “Be fruitful and multiply.” These words are not only meant for physical regeneration, but also for spiritual awakening. When God comforts us, we want to respond by sharing the comfort we received.

Prayer

Holy and merciful God, thank you for your amazing love. Make us instruments of your peace, hope and comfort so others will experience your love too. In Jesus’ name, Amen.