…In Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart…I have overcome the world! (John 16:33)
As I reflected on this year and what the Lord would want me to share, this phrase caught my attention and resonated with me in light of all that has transpired this year: Take Heart…
It has been a year of losing heart. A year of loss, sickness, deprivation, discouragement. Several of my friends lost loved ones. Some have been diagnosed with troubling illnesses. Some have lost jobs. Some have experienced rejection in relationships. Is it any wonder we have lost heart? Where is God in all this? This is not what we expected!
My Advent study Our Hope Has Come by Lifeway Women shared some insights that gave me some perspective:
His disciples did not understand…”their cluelessness was a result of their expectations for the Messiah. They expected the Messiah to overthrow Roman rule. They expected Him to bring peace and end persecution of God’s people. They expected deliverance. But Jesus had something else in store. He didn’t want to overthrow Roman rule, He planned to overthrow Satan’s rule. He wasn’t there to bring peace between nations; He was there to bring peace to our souls. He wasn’t going to deliver God’s people from the authorities of the day; He was going to deliver God’s people from sin, death, and shame, and do so with finality…”
SO what I have learnt this year is that it is true when He said…”For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts…”(Isaiah 55:8-9) We don’t know what His overarching plan is in all of this, but we DO know that He has a plan, even though Satan is wrecking the world in his fury, he has already been overcome by the Lamb. Jesus is our HOPE. This is a time of cleansing going on in the Church, ‘the establishing of Christlikeness, the crown event in the church” according to Francis Frangipane.
Indeed, personally this has come to life for me in this very rough year with an unexpected struggle. This has caused me to seek healing in my union with God, thawing out my heart used to numbing as default when overwhelmed. I have discovered new joys in my everyday life, seeing Him as I look upward in the sky and clouds, as I look around in the eyes of those surrounding me, and in my walks, the leaves, the trees, the flowers, the cool breezes and oh, that sunshine!
God has also used some women to inspire and encourage me by their walk with Him: my Mom with her joy, always beaming with her faith in Her Saviour, Joy B. with her joy in all circumstances, Lina A. with her words of Biblical truth and Beverly R. with her reflective walk through grief and several others like Bonnie G. and Vaneetha R. on discovering God’s Presence in suffering. So grateful for my husband and 2 sons and daughter-in-law. For too long, I have looked at what I did not have, and did not fully realize the treasures laid before me. Blessed beyond measure!
May you too see the treasures around you for they are His Presence in your life. He sees you. He has got you. Trust. Rest.
My introduction to Lina came through Facebook when my friend Joy mentioned her and her study group. Well, if you know my friend Joy, you know that I immediately took note as Joy is one of the most godly women I know and an unofficial mentor of mine without knowing it. I 'met' her in blogging land many years ago and am so grateful for her input in my life.
This was around the time that a debilitating health issue began for me that sent me desperately to God. In an App that another friend, Sylvia, sent me, called Pause, a prayer contained the words, "Lord, heal my union with You." Then I listened to a talk by Lina where she mentioned how we sometimes feel disconnected from God because our hearts have become hardened over time as we looked away from Him during the hard times, instead of leaning into Him. (That is a gist, not a quote.) There was something about the way she said it that resonated with me. Deeply. I had read about hardened hearts in the OT but I never applied it to myself. Suddenly I realized that the numbness I had adopted over several years had caused my heart to harden, even as I still said and did all things 'Christian'. Mostly. But Bible reading had become sporadic and rote, having no effect. Prayer was also rote. I never deconstructed to disbelief because of the precious times I had experienced with God many years ago. I believed now that He blessed others and heard their prayers but somehow I was not worth His time or attention. Interestingly that was how I felt about my pastor and church. My church had felt unsafe for a long time because of deep wounds many years ago by the leadership. We continued to go there always feeling the sting of rejection and being labelled 'unworthy' each time we stepped through the doors. Our issues were 'swept under the image keeping rug' in the church. Thus we were never allowed to heal.
Then another friend exhorted me to "get into the Word." (Thank you, Susan!)
I took note. Because many years ago I had sensed a voice telling me to do just that. Thus started my healing with union with God. A prayer healing session carried me through forgiveness again to the church and others who had hurt me. I started reading my Bible again, this time with intentionality and taking notes. Even though I have read through the Bible a couple of times, it seemed as if I was seeing some things for the first time and being wowed! Even as I desperately wanted to be healed physically and still do, I found myself yearning something more. God. Even a whiff of His Presence was satisfying.
I realize that His Presence is all I need and it does not matter if I am healed or not, His Presence would carry me through anything and would never leave me. I found myself longing for the manifestation of the Holy Spirit I read of in Acts. What God did was to show me He was there in my every day life. In the skies, the trees, the flowers, the people around me, the friends on social media.
When I saw Lina talking about joining a Launch team for her new book and I saw the summary, it immediately resonated, but I felt unworthy, plus this health issue limits how much I can do. Nevertheless, I volunteered but soon after felt guilty as I had flare-ups and could not immediately get into the book, and it was doubly hard because it was not a hard copy but had to read online. I had to stop comparing myself to others who were so eagerly doing all that a team member should do and doing what I could.
I finally did get through the book in 2 nights! It was extremely easy to read and flowed wonderfully. I could identify with much of what she shared and realized why her words months ago had resonated so deeply. She had walked where I walked! Strangely enough, I had been through 2 traumatic events that changed my life forever, a broken engagement, and being wounded by the church, something she herself had gone through. As I read, I was writing where it resonated, as if I were a highlighting a hard copy. Needless to say, I have several pages of quotes with asterisks! I wish I could purchase a bunch of copies to give away! Until I have the resources, I can share my words at no cost.
This is my review on Amazon and GoodReads:
"Out of nowhere life circumstances can suddenly hit us so hard, we are left numb and disoriented. Betrayed and rejected. Disappointed and deeply wounded. For a Christian, our personal theology of God begins to shatter. Lina deals with this as she shares in her authentic and diagnostic style how her own faith started to deconstruct with her pain of disillusionment with her church and relationships, and also God’s seeming absence in her pain. Like many others who have walked similar journeys, I found myself having many ‘aha’ moments as Lina clearly defined for me what I had experienced and the state of my heart and soul. Here was someone who understood! She also showed me the path to a reconstruction and new hope. This reconstruction builds a firmer foundation for when the next wave hits. And it will as long as we are here on earth. That foundation is rooted in God’s goodness that never falters in rain or shine.
I heartily recommend Lina’s book to anyone who has experienced such deep disappointments in life. I love Lina’s no-frill user-friendly style which reminds me of Rick Warren’s style in Purpose-Driven Life. Our church needs this book today as I believe there are many jaded Christians sitting in our pews or leaving the church because God has not lived up to their expectations. The searching questions at the end of each chapter are great for those who wish to pursue this as a small group or personal study. Thank you, Lina, for saying ‘yes’ to God and sharing your heart so honestly."
Thank you, Joy and Lina for getting me started on this healing journey.
First of all, what a year with Covid hanging over our heads! But what another monumental year for you since your last birthday.
You celebrated your 1st wedding anniversary! Wow!
MOST ADORABLE COUPLE EVER 💞: NATHAN AND SARAH
You became a lawyer officially on June 11, 2021!
CALLED TO THE BAR! NATHAN HENDERSON, ESQ.
THE 3 FINEST GUYS ON THIS PLANET!
THE LITTLEST MOM EVER!
Nate, I honestly see you as one of the most gracious individuals I have ever met, and to think that you are my son, well, just wow! I remember Paul's wife Victoria saying that about you as well! All of my family members are drawn to you for this very reason. I love being around you, hearing you talk and sing. Love seeing you and your brother together. Love seeing you and Sarah grow together as a couple.
The modern secular definition of grace relate to a person's "elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action; or a pleasing or attractive quality or endowment", while the biblical definition has to do with unmerited favour.
Nate, when I think of you, I see how the favor of God has rested on you all these years:... Ontario scholar, wonderful friendships, amazing wife and in-laws, becoming a lawyer and getting a job right away...just a few of the many wonderful events in your life. I also see though that for many of these, you have earned them by hard work and determination, but it is God Who has given you wonderful abilities to do much and when you do them, you do with all your heart.
Yet, behind the scenes are events that you never voice: the betrayals, the rejections, the overlooking, the misjudgments, times of serious illness, the times of sheer overwhelm, the time of lack and discouragement, the weariness. Still, you show grace, a disposition of kindness towards all you meet.
As I was struggling to find His thoughts for you, I was doing my study on Galatians with Beth Moore. As soon as I saw this verse and the context of man's vs. God's approval, I sensed the Holy Spirit nudging, 'Nathan'!
Luke 2:52, the one verse in Scripture that described Jesus' life from the age of 12 to when He began His public ministry at 30: "...and He grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men." Yes, this was describing Nathan as well!
As Beth Moore puts it in her study, Faith Has Come, in your early years "seeking God's approval can simultaneously land us the approval of our favourite person or group of people", and it did for you. But our journey of faith continually leads us to the point where only God's approval will matter. Beth notes that as Jesus became more public, the more polarizing He became with His approval rating dropping tremendously among certain groups. Beth says, "During the final 24 hours of His life, God's approval was all Jesus had." Jesus never compromised on truth or grace and this led to His unpopularity with those whose hearts were exposed by His words and character. As you see what is happening in our culture now, you see that Christian values are being mocked and so are those who adhere to them.
As you look at your life of seeking Him now, you will see that God is testing any relationship that vies for His approval. Some can be and should be recalibrated, some not. For someone who has been a people pleaser, this will be a hard journey but a deeply healing and satisfying one as you discover a new freedom like Paul in being wholly bound to God's approval alone. Until then, you (like all of us!) will slowly realize how unhealthily bound you are to the approval of those who vie for His approval or authority in your life. You will, like all saints who mature in the faith, feel the loss of some of those relationships that can't be recalibrated, but like Paul, you will be growing in freedom and feeling a lightening in your spirit!
That will require the fruit of the Spirit of perseverance which you mentioned you needed in this year. Yes, I am so proud of how you persevered through the times of illness, discouragement, lack, uncertainty. This article by Michael Kelley gives some brief insights on perseverance using the verse people usually quote out of context: "For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). Michael notes that while it does speak to providential care and hope, the broader message is about perseverance when you see what immediately precedes it: “When seventy years for Babylon are complete, I will attend to you and will confirm my promise concerning you to restore you to this place.
Michael says, "the bigger message is about perseverance. And that is a good message for us today. It’s not just a good message because it feels like persevering is the hard work of faith right now, given disease, shut-down, downturn, and all kinds of varying opinions about what should happen next. It’s a good message for us because we, as a people, are not very good at simply staying the course of faithfulness."
He makes 4 points about perseverance:
-Realism--perseverance is not about denying reality...there is another reality – a greater reality – that sits over and above our circumstances. That God is still the ruler. That He does in fact love us. And that we are, even now, His sons and daughters.
-Hope--perseverance is not just about sticking it out through hard times...it is the sure and certain promise that God will never leave us or forsake us and will, in His time, bring us safely home.
-Adaptable--perseverance is not the same as stubbornness...We are not just moving obstinately through life, but instead, we are free to take opportunities as they present themselves for the glory of God.
-Together--perseverance is not about a single person' will to carry on...as people of faith, perseverance is a group project in which we draw strength and hope and adaptability from one another. We help each other along the long road.
And as we do, we believe together, that though this road may indeed be long, that God is still good. That He does indeed have plans for us. That in Him, there is yet still a hope and a future.
So my dearest first born, thank you for your many thoughtful acts of kindness towards me and your Dad and brother this year, the way you want to celebrate our milestones with us. It moves me deeply as I feel so undeserving of this as all of your life you have witnessed the 'me' who had the tentacles of depression wrapped around her and was not 'present' so many times. But God graciously lifted you up and carried you. His favour on you has been unmistakable. Like your brother, you fill my heart and that of your Dad with such delight. I can only imagine that my delight is just a taste of what your Heavenly Father feels for you. Remember that when people display disdain for you as life goes on. Let His love satisfy you.
With the theme of perseverance in mind, here is The Battle Belongs by Phil Wickham:
When all I see is the battle, You see my victory When all I see is the mountain, You see a mountain moved And as I walk through the shadow, Your love surrounds me There's nothing to fear now for I am safe with You
So when I fight, I'll fight on my knees With my hands lifted high Oh God, the battle belongs to You And every fear I lay at Your feet I'll sing through the night Oh God, the battle belongs to You
And if You are for me, who can be against me? Yeah For Jesus, there's nothing impossible for You When all I see are the ashes, You see the beauty Thank You God When all I see is a cross, God, You see the empty tomb
So when I fight, I'll fight on my knees With my hands lifted high Oh God, the battle belongs to You And every fear I lay at Your feet I'll sing through the night Oh God, the battle belongs to You
Almighty fortress, You go before us Nothing can stand against the power of our God You shine in the shadow, You win every battle Nothing can stand against the power of our God
An almighty fortress, You go before us Nothing can stand against the power of our God You shine in the shadow, You win every battle Nothing can stand against the power of our God
An almighty fortress, You go before us Nothing can stand against the power of our God You shine in the shadows, You win every battle Nothing can stand against the power of our God
So when I fight, I'll fight on my knees With my hands lifted high Oh God, the battle belongs to You And every fear I lay at Your feet I'll sing through the night Oh God, the battle belongs to You
6 Therefore as you (Nathan) have (has) received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in [union with] Him [reflecting His character in the things you do and say—living lives (a life) that lead others away from sin], 7 having been deeply rooted [in Him] and now being continually built up in Him and [becoming increasingly more] established in your faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing in it with gratitude. (AMP)
6 And now just as you (Nathan) trusted Christ to save you, trust him, too, for each day’s problems; live in vital union with him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives (life) overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all he has done. (TLB)
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come before You with much thanksgiving for Your perfect gift of Nathan. While he was formed in the womb You knew him and had a plan and purpose for Him. Thank you for watching over him all these years and allowing me to be his mother. I come before You on Nathan's behalf as his mother right now and I tenderly bring to You all that concerns him this day, including his marriage, his health, a place to call home, his job and finances, his relationships, and I ask for Your Spirit to hover over each area of his life granting him wisdom and discernment, healing and restoration, a stable residence, a community in which he can both encourage and be encouraged. Father, I know that You have equipped him with Your power for all that You have allowed in His life, so help him to access that power. Give him a strong hunger for Your Word and yearning to spend time with You in silence. Refresh him spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally as he sets aside time for solitude and silence. Give him a heart of thanksgiving for all his many blessings and fill him with sheer joy. May he release any hurts he has suffered to you and may forgiveness be a part of his daily walk so he walks in freedom. Bind him and Sarah together with Your covenantal love.
As crises are a normal part of our journey, may he never doubt Your goodness and may that be a foundation when storms arrive, that You are good, that he is loved, that You are always with him. Thank You, Lord. In Your precious Name, I pray, Amen.
There are very few people that make my heart smile and fill with gratitude for the eternal impact that they have made in my life.
God connected us in university via your sister Solange and I felt an instant connection to you. Over the years, I have seen how much we have in common, including being introverts who shrink from the limelight, and always fearful that Solange will bring us into it! Hahaha.
There is so much I am grateful for as I think back about you.
You are beautiful!
You are a woman clothed with dignity and grace.
You have the most amazing sense of humour and I am so glad we share that! We can exchange looks from afar and just crack up.
You have an inner strength that carries you through life's curves.
You have an enduring faith that inspires.
You are disciplined and very courageous. I can't imagine raising foster children with problems I cannot understand, yet you have done that and made an investment in so many. Wow!
You are an extraordinary mother and wife! I mean, just look at all your amazing men! Neil, Joshua, Jordan and Jared! All extraordinary!
You possess wisdom that comes from deep reflection. I love to share thoughts with you, knowing you understand.
You share a kindred spirit with me!
You have deep and enduring relationships with your family and friends and work colleagues.
You always have something positive to say about me, even when I have felt my worst and looked so!
There is not one time we have connected that you have not encouraged or inspired me or made me smile and most importantly, made me feel loved and valued. You are truly saturated with His aroma.
In fact, my dear, you are one of the most lovable people I know on this earth and I am so grateful and in awe that you call me 'friend' and 'sister'.
So I would like to bless you with these verses in this milestone year from Ephesians 1 (AMP) My words are in brackets in green:
15 For this reason, because I have heard (know) of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, (Sharine), remembering you in my prayers; 17 [I always pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him [for we know the Father through the Son]. 18 And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (God’s people), 19 and [so that you will begin to know] what the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His [active, spiritual] power is in us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength 20 which He produced in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion [whether angelic or human], and [far above] every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and world but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things [in every realm] in subjection under Christ’s feet, and appointed Him as [supreme and authoritative] head over all things in the church,23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills and completes all things in all [believers].
May this song remind you that you are CHOSEN, NOT FORSAKEN and you are who HE says you are:
Prayer:
Father, thank you so much for this precious child You created and formed with such great care and love. She has shown me so much of You. Indeed she is Your Child. Thank You for your faithfulness to her over the years. Thank You for bringing her to this milestone. Like so many others, this year with this pandemic has wrought havoc on our physical and mental health, and I pray that You would sustain Sharine and her family and equip her with all she needs to thrive. Bend down your ear to listen to her heart's cries and concerns. Give her a divine encounter that deeply impacts. Draw her husband and sons closer to Your heart with that firm foundation she has passed on to them from her own mother. Let her see You daily in her walks, in her talks and in the routines of life. I ask You now to cover her with a blanket of Your reassuring Hope for a future blessed with Your Presence. I commit her to Your tender, loving care.
For many that aloneness translated to a loneliness
Laced with fear.
For others that aloneness gave us pause for thought.
We remembered what we said to each other at Christmas,
Emmanuel...God with us.
It dawned slowly in us that
In the isolation and desolation
that ever was or will be,
The one thing that remains
When all else has faded...
Our one Hope, Our one Comfort,
Our one Peace, Our one Joy,
Emmanuel, "God With Us".
God with us in our room,
God with us in the hospital,
God with us in the losses.
We realize that we can turn our eyes away
From the circumstances
On to His Presence...
Behind the smog of isolation
Behind the smog of loss
Behind the smog of loneliness
Behind the smog of pain
Behind the smog of anxiety
Behind the smog of fear
Behind the smog of despair.
For He is there.
Hovering, waiting
To be seen.
To reach out and embrace you
To look into your eyes
and straight into your soul.
To let you know that
You are fully known
and fully loved...
By God Himself...
Then you will know...
You never were or ever will be alone.
God with me.
Nothing else is needed.
God is enough.
(Sita Henderson 2021)
"Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father and then we will be satisfied.”.John 14:8
God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable], A very present and well-proved help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. 1 Peter 5:7
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed [intimidated], for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
But He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in[your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
What a year it has been for you and the rest of the world from your last birthday till now. Who would have thought that a pandemic would enter and bring the world into lockdown? As we know though, it did not take God by surprise for He reigns sovereign! Covid19 has polarized our world and made it a fearful world on top of all the other 'normal' stuff we are used to hearing.
But...
What a year of decluttering and realizing what is really important in our lives. Decluttering involves 'cleaning up' which is always a painful process for the believer but as Scripture says in Hebrews 12:11:
"No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way."
Again, you have shown you are a warrior and that you are faithful. Your mind continues to be a battleground for the enemy who works overtime with those chosen to advance His kingdom in any public way, as you are called to do in your role as worship leader.
You have said that the word 'favor' is your theme for this year, so I decided to do a quick research. I found this article which gave the best explanation of favor as found in Scripture in this article in Compelling Truth:
"The definition of the word favor is best described as "demonstrated delight." To have the Lord's favor means that the Lord is in accord with an individual and has shown gracious kindness towards them. When we think of someone who has the favor of God, we think of someone in whose life we see tangible evidence of God's approval. A father shows favor to his children by showing them grace and guiding them. He demonstrates delight by wanting to spend time with his children and by helping them become healthy people. Favor is often shown both ways. When individuals favor each other, they desire to feel connected to each other. God shows favor by connecting with His people and being a shield that leads them and protects them (Psalm 5:12).
The Lord invites us to seek His favor, and the Bible is filled with people who cry out for God's favor and graciousness (2 Kings 13:4; Jeremiah 26:19; Zephaniah 2:3). David says in Psalm 119:58, "I entreat your favor with all of my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise." It must be stated that only those who are in Jesus Christ can experience the favor of God. It is by Jesus' righteousness that we receive forgiveness of sin and become children of God (John 1:12–13; 2 Corinthians 5:16–21; Hebrews 4:14–16). Once we are God's children, we can pursue God's favor by seeking Him for who He is, not for the things that He can provide for us. We can pursue God's favor by humbling our hearts before Him (2 Kings 22:19) and by desiring to show Him love with our whole selves (Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27).
There are a few things we can do to begin seeking the Lord's favor. We must first seek righteousness, which prepares our hearts and creates room for the Lord (Matthew 6:33; Psalm 5:12). We must humble our hearts before God because Isaiah 66:2 (NIV) says, "… These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word." We can also gain God's favor by seeking wisdom. Proverbs 8:35 says that the one who finds wisdom, "finds life and obtains favor from the Lord." We must also honor the Lord's favor above anybody else's favor, even our own. This means that we must desire to please Him more than we desire to please ourselves (Hebrews 11:25). The Lord is happy to favor those who love Him, so He can protect them, connect with them, and guide them (Psalm 37:23; Proverbs 3:5–6).
Unfortunately, those who have favor with the Lord still suffer, and alternately those who have seemingly perfect lives do not always have God's favor (Jeremiah 12:1; Psalm 37:7; 73:1–28). To gain God's favor does not mean that we are free from the hardships of this world (John 16:33; 2 Corinthians 6:4; Acts 14:22; 20:23; 1 Peter 2:19). Multiple biblical examples show us that those whom the Lord favors are not free from the world's suffering. There are many individuals whom God favored in the Bible who still had difficulties. We find hope in the stories of Noah (Genesis 6:8), Moses (Exodus 32:7–14; 33:13), Daniel (Daniel 10:19), and Mary (Luke 1:28), because they were highly favored by God, yet overcame enormous obstacles and hardships. In fact, to call them merely hardships is to undermine how monumental their situations really were.
However, from their stories, we learn that God never leaves those He favors. His favor can be felt in the spirit. With the favor of the Lord, we have peace in our spirits that our sins are forgiven (Romans 4:7). We can also feel a confidence that no matter what happens to us in this world, that we are within the plan of God (Psalm 86:11), and that He is with us always (Isaiah 41:10; Matthew 28:20). As we continue to walk in favor with God, He equips us in our struggles (Psalm 34:15). Our devotion and trust in Him will be rewarded (Matthew 10:42; Revelation 2:10), and our eyes are illuminated to blessings in our situations that were previously unseen."
Your Dad and I and your grandparents have always prayed that you and Nathan would find favor with God and man. And as I have been reading through the OT in recent times, I see the people God showed His favor or grace to were those whose hearts were humbled by suffering and who cried out to Him and sought to obey His decrees.
So, my son, I bless you with all the attributes that will bring you His favor:
...with a heart that is broken and contrite (humble) heart:
"My [only] sacrifice [acceptable] to God is a broken spirit; A broken and contrite heart [broken with sorrow for sin, thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not despise." Psalm 51:17
...with a heart that seeks and pursues God and His wisdom primarily through His Word.
"But firstand most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also." Matthew 6:33
Delve into His Word and allow it to transform your mind. View your circumstances through His Word, knowing that He allows all your circumstances for your transformation into the likeness of Jesus. And what is Jesus like? See the Sermon in the Mount to see His character and let that be your only measure in life.
I am so grateful to God for sustaining you in these hard times, providing the resources and fellowship needed. It shows me that He sees you.
Thank you for your encouragement and affirmation and unconditional love.
Thank you for your voice and smile.
Thank you for cleaning the car. (HAHA)
Thank you for your kind and generous heart.
Thank you for your perseverance.
Snapshots of your year
Friends
Family
This was also the year you started to train in Worship Arts at Tyndale. So proud of you!
Foryour second year, I bless you with favor with your professors and fellow students as you pursue excellence in all you do for His glory.
YOUR BLESSING IN SONG:
The Lord bless you and keep you Make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you The Lord turn His face toward you And give you peace The Lord bless you and keep you Make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you The Lord turn His face toward you And give you peace
May His favor be upon you And a thousand generations And your family and your children And their children, and their children May His favor be upon you And a thousand generations And your family and your children
May His presence go before you And behind you and beside you All around you and within you He is with you, He is with you In the morning, in the evening In your coming and your going In your weeping and rejoicing He is for you, He is for you May His presence go before you And behind you and beside you All around you and within you He is with you, He is with you In the morning, in the evening In your coming and your going In your weeping and rejoicing He is for you, He is for you He is for you, He is for you He is for you, He is for you Always for you, He's for you I know He is for you
This verse struck me today as a verse for you:
"We can all draw close to him with the veil removed from our faces. And with no veil we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus. We are being transfigured into his very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another. And this glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."2 Cor.3:18
The most effective ministers are those who have no veils (masks) and whose faces reflect His glory. As you grow in Him and in the applied knowledge of His word, may your worship always come from a genuine heart like David, who as you can see had no 'veils' in writing his psalms. So may you become a man after God's own heart.
And finally my prayer for you:
Father, thank You for the gift of Your grace, Your favor, Your mercy. Thank You that You have promised You will never leave us or forsake us. Thank You for Your Presence even when we can't see or sense You. Thank You for Your Word that brings life and speak to us from Your heart. Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty.
Thank You for Daniel. You formed him in the womb, You wired him, You know how he thinks. You know and see to the most hidden places in his heart. And You love him with a love that never fails. Thank You. Father, I pray that he would find favor with You and those in authority over him. I pray he would find favor with his friends and colleagues. I pray that he would find favor with that soulmate that You have been preparing for him. I pray a hedge of protection around his mind and heart and body so that Satan will not thwart Your plans and purposes for him. May You give him wisdom to discern what 'words' or 'relationships' come from You or the evil one. May his discernment grow as he meditates on Your Word. I pray for healing in his mind so that he is able to have clarity of thought. May he see through Your eyes, think through Your mind, love through Your heart, speak and sing through Your lips. May he be a display of Your glory. And Lord, finally, would You give him joy, a deep well of joy that overflows to his eyes and voice as he uses his gifts to worship.
