Building our lives on the Word of God, like a house built on rock, may take much effort and will at times be difficult. But when the storms of life come, and many will, we will be able to stand firm; for God, our rock and our salvation, is with us!

In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul says we have been appointed by God to be God’s ambassadors: to bring the message that God has done in Christ Jesus all that needs to be done for a full reconciliation to take place between God and the people of God’s world-like us!

In your times of deep trouble, listen to the cries of the psalmist, hear God’s Love in their words of promise and hope. You are not alone.

PRAYER: Today, I pray with the psalmist, “Do not, O Lord, withhold your mercy from me; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever.” Amen

We all are broken crayons of various shades and sizes. But, we also have so much potential to change, to bring goodness into our world wherever we are, and to help others through the rough times of their lives. What a privilege that is!

I do not know what happened to Barbara, but God does. I have released her into his loving care. Hopefully another servant of God was there to carry on the task of being a hand and voice of God for her. And who knows, perhaps she is the one who now brings the message of hope and love to others.

Devastations have come upon lands throughout history. There have been volcanoes, tsunamis, hurricanes, flooding, and dust storms. Add to that, the Black Plague, Smallpox, Measles, Polio, and now Covid. The list could go on and on. At each point, Joel calls upon us to be God’s people who act on God’s behalf. I do no believe God sends disaster to punish or kill people. But disasters happen and when they do, we are to be God’s first responders.

One of my favorite songs says, “This is holy ground; we’re standing on holy ground; for the Lord is present and where He is, is holy.” Ah, God’s presence is within me, around me, before me, embracing me and my neighbor, and all those who need the peace of God. It is a sacred experience.

God calls all of us to be his hands, feet, eyes, voice, and touch to others. Perhaps we have once been wounded or feel compassion for the hurts and fears of others. Allow those feelings to drive you into God’s compassion and healing for others wherever we are. Together we can make a difference. Together we can be healed and experience hope. Together we see God!

“And Jesus said, “Come to the waters, stand by my side. I know you are thirsty, you won’t be denied. I felt every tear drop when in darkness you cried. And I strove to remind you that for those tears I died.”

What’s on our “want list?” Does it include serving others or fulfilling the needs and dreams of others? Perhaps that was one of the original purposes of sharing gifts at Christmas.