“Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.”
2 SAMUEL 17-18
31Then the Cushite arrived and said, “My lord the king, hear the good news! The Lord has vindicated you today by delivering you from the hand of all who rose up against you.”
32The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom safe?”
The Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man.”
33The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!”g(18:31-33)LUKE 21:1-19
10Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
12“But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13And so you will bear testimony to me. 14But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17Everyone will hate you because of me. 18But not a hair of your head will perish. 19Stand firm, and you will win life.
JOURNAL
David loves his son, in spite of all of the horrible things Absalom did, despite the fact that his intent was to kill David. David loved him and mourned for him after his death and even confesses he would have given his life for him. This is a taste of Jesus' love for us. Jesus did give his life so that we would have life.
Jesus predicts the terrible suffering of the disciples yet affirms that they will gain life regardless of what happens to them. I love that statement..."Stand firm, and you will win life." So much of life is just that...showing up, standing up and being firm about who you are and what you believe.
These two pictures are the reason and hope of the gospel. That no matter what we do or what life throws at us...we are all loved by God. We have his love and that love is not dependent on circumstances, performances, success, failure, suffering or triumph. He loves us right here today, just as we are. Acceptance of that love leads me to take on each day with the confidence and courage that comes with knowing that I ultimately can't lose. No matter my circumstance...I win in the end and therefore I win today!
David loves his son, in spite of all of the horrible things Absalom did, despite the fact that his intent was to kill David. David loved him and mourned for him after his death and even confesses he would have given his life for him. This is a taste of Jesus' love for us. Jesus did give his life so that we would have life.
Jesus predicts the terrible suffering of the disciples yet affirms that they will gain life regardless of what happens to them. I love that statement..."Stand firm, and you will win life." So much of life is just that...showing up, standing up and being firm about who you are and what you believe.
These two pictures are the reason and hope of the gospel. That no matter what we do or what life throws at us...we are all loved by God. We have his love and that love is not dependent on circumstances, performances, success, failure, suffering or triumph. He loves us right here today, just as we are. Acceptance of that love leads me to take on each day with the confidence and courage that comes with knowing that I ultimately can't lose. No matter my circumstance...I win in the end and therefore I win today!
Jesus predicts the terrible suffering of the disciples yet affirms that they will gain life regardless of what happens to them. I love that statement..."Stand firm, and you will win life." So much of life is just that...showing up, standing up and being firm about who you are and what you believe.
These two pictures are the reason and hope of the gospel. That no matter what we do or what life throws at us...we are all loved by God. We have his love and that love is not dependent on circumstances, performances, success, failure, suffering or triumph. He loves us right here today, just as we are. Acceptance of that love leads me to take on each day with the confidence and courage that comes with knowing that I ultimately can't lose. No matter my circumstance...I win in the end and therefore I win today!
10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
JOHN 10:10
JOHN 10:10
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