Courage Dear Heart

In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart: I have overcome the world.
Jn.16:33

Jesus tells it like it is. He didn't promise an easy life, but He did offer a lasting peace and the absolute assurance that the battles I face have already been won.

Jesus spoke these words knowing his passion and death was only hours away. At first it would look like the world had overcome Jesus. But the world didn't reckon on his resurrection. 

I'm reminded of the terrifying yet beautiful scene in C.S. Lewis' book, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Lucy is looking down at her siblings suffering their worst nightmares while passing the Dark Island. In the midst of the horror, Aslan in the form of a bird, swoops past her and calls, "Courage, dear heart." Lucy receives hope and her hope spreads to the others. Light returns to the Dawn Treader.

Courage is born within me when I remember that Jesus is beside me, always. Every tribulation I face I never face alone. 

I can take heart today. Whatever the "world" is throwing my way right now, it operates under a defeated system.

Courage, dear heart!

Permanent Joy

Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 
Jn.16:22

Jesus tells his followers sorrow does not have the final word. Their sorrow at his death will turn into joy at his resurrection. 

This lies at the heart of my Christian faith.  Yes we experience sorrow, but we don't stay there. The joy that awaits on the other side of sorrow is a joy no one can take from us. 

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 1Cor.15:5.

Fertile Faith

You did not choose me:
no, I chose you;
and I commissioned you
to go out and to bear fruit,
fruit that will last;
Jn.15:16

I am chosen and commissioned, for what? To bear fruit that will last.

Sometimes I forget who did the choosing. I think my friendship with Jesus is from my initiative. That he first chose me is mind blowing. I am a tiny speck of a seed from which a mighty tree will grow bearing eternal fruit.

Jesus sees something in me that he will use. I just need to be available and trust him. Faith makes me fertile.

Jesus, thank you for choosing me. I step out in faith today trusting that you are with me. 

What Must I Do?

 Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Acts.16:30

The gaoler asks Paul and Silas the most important question of his life. The answer? "Believe in the Lord Jesus."

The gaoler's vital question is my vital question. What must I do to  be saved? My answer affects not only me but my household. 

Yes Jesus, I believe. I place my trust in you. 

Convinced By God

 We lost no time in arranging a passage to Macedonia, convinced that God had called us to bring them the Good News.
Acts.16:10

Paul and his companions had been stopped from entering various countries by the Holy Spirit. Now they were given the green light. "Go to Macedonia!"

"Convinced by God". What a great place to be in. Being sure of being in the centre of God's plans gives fervour and zeal.

Lord, speak to me in visions. Guide me by your Holy Spirit so I may have fervour and zeal for the Gospel. Saint Paul, please pray for me.

Friends

I call you friends...
Jn15:15

Friendship is elevated to its highest meaning when modeled by Jesus. I am called to be nothing less to those around me. 

I am blessed to have four men with whom I regularly pray. I call them my 3 :00 am friends. If I had a great need at 3:00 am in the morning, I know these men would respond if I called them. 

Life is made sweeter when travelling alongside friends. Friendship is something I need to intentionally cultivate, not in a forced way but in an inviting, open way. It starts by spending time with someone.

Of course, the greatest friend I have is Jesus. I love responding to his friendship by spending time with him. 

What a friend I have in Jesus,
all my sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!

Fan the Flickering Flame

In fact God, who can read everyone’s heart, showed his approval of them by giving the Holy Spirit to them just as he had to us. God made no distinction between them and us, since he purified their hearts by faith.
Acts.15:8,9

God makes no distinction. Once anyone's faith is exercised, the Holy Spirit leaps in.

The Jerusalem Council stopped the Church becoming an exclusive club. The temptation is still with us to issue membership tickets to those deemed acceptable. God makes no distinction, neither should we, or more close to home, nether should I.

Faith, no matter how fragile, is the only ticket required. The beauty of this transaction is that it is purely between the recipient and God. My role is to simply fan the flickering flame. 

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth.