Good morning, the word for today is assurance - a positive declaration intended to give confidence; promise or pledge; guaranty; surety. A favorite hymn of mine is “Blessed Assurance” – this is my story, this is your story – Jesus assures you and me of our future – a glorious one in John 14, “I go to prepare a place for you …so that where I am you may be also.” And of the security of that position: “No one can snatch them from my hand” (John 10:28-29). So our future is secure – Jesus wants us to know that so we can relax and stop striving to do things so God will somehow like us. Great news - God ALREADY loves us - in fact God is "crazy" about us!! Once again I remember that we are human “beings” – not human doings! Our “doing” is the logical overflow of our “being” in Christ. Our “being” is not a direct result of our “doing!” On my busiest days, I have to STOP and remember that! God also wants us to know more about the abundant living that Jesus came to bring to us. God’s Word assures us that continual prayer is one key to a stress-free life. Jesus assures us that we should pray to avoid trials and not to lose heart and that we should approach our Heavenly Father in conversation often. Jesus set the example of the need for contact with God. Other NT writers reassure us to pray continually; pray to gain wisdom and to know God in a deeper way; pray for ourselves; pray for others; pray for health and healing; pray for comfort and the list can go on. Above all, prayer gives us the comforting assurance that we are cherished by our Creator Who loves us with an undying love. We are God’s people and God delights in us. Grace and peace!! Barbara N. Ulrich Pastor, First United Methodist Church Miles City Montana
Posted on: Sun, 04 Aug 2013 11:49:55 +0000
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