“May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NIV)

As I pen these words, I praise God for His goodness. God in His infinite mercy and kindness delivered me from a battle. He ministered peace over me. He sustained me when I did not think I would survive. He held me together in my fear and weakness. He gave me Hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. And instead of destruction and ruin, my vestiges of war were joy, laughter, praise, and thanksgiving.

I write these words to honor God and give Him all praise, honor, and glory. Yet I also pen these words to encourage others who are also suffering. Last week, it seemed like a spiritual storm surged over many believers, leaving sadness, depression, anxiety, and discouragement in its wake. Yet I am here to testify God is in control. I am here to testify God is good, even amidst heartache and pain. I am here to proclaim God will prevail and has already won the victory.

I do not write these words lightly. For I, too, have suffered. I believed I would break. But God held me together. God ministered through so many. He surrounded me with the body of Christ. His Spirit brought hope and healing. And through Him, I am made new.

This weekend, I emerged from the wreckage of my own personal war, uncertain of my path and riddled with anxiety. As I sat holding my husband who just received devastating news, gratitude filled my heart. For God orchestrated every detail of my trial. Even to the timing of when I would begin emerging out of my suffering to allow me to be fully present for my husband. Only God. Only God.

But as tears coursed his cheeks and sobs wracked his body, God spoke into the darkness. Running to grab her new Jesus Calling for girls, my little one read words which ministered to our souls. Then came the moment where truth meets light infused with the power of God’s Word and the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

“What are the Scripture references,” I asked Sweet Pea, “Let’s read them tonight for our Bible study.” Happy to oblige, Sweet Pea flipped back to the entry and read the verses listed.

“Romans 12:12,” she read, “and Romans 15:13.” My heart stood still. I could not believe my ears. And then, the Holy Spirit washed over me.

Even as I write these words, tears of thanksgiving fill my eyes. For when a similar battle had threatened to overtake me eight years ago, God healed me. And He used this exact verse to do so through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Now eight years later, I am completely filled with awe and wonder at the mystery and mercy of God. Once more, He used this verse to bring healing and hope to my soul. But God was not finished yet.

Yesterday, as I awoke in peace, God spoke again. As if the timely reminder of this verse was not enough, God reaffirmed it yet again. A dear friend and prayer warrior texted me after church. And what verse would she happen to text me? You guessed it. Romans 15:13. Only God. Only God.

Friends, may these words encourage your heart and bring Hope. God loves us. He knows the hairs on your head. He sees you and knows your suffering. He is the God of compassion and Hope for all. And He will never let you go.

Allow your heart to be filled with joy and peace for the joy of the Lord will be your strength. Use worship as your weapon and the Word of God as your Shield. And allow Christ to be your Cornerstone so when fires and winds assail, you will be left standing with the Rock of Jesus beneath your feet.

Be encouraged friends for our God is with us. May the God of Hope fill each one of you with joy and peace as you trust Him so you may overflow with Hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen and amen.

God Really Loves Us By David Crowder
​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3y8Zz3F4cI

“Open Your mouth for the people who cannot speak, for the rights of all the unfortunate. Open Your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9, (NASV)
 
Father God, thank You for my children for they are an answer to prayer. I plead with You to watch over my children whom You knit together. Keep them away from worldly and fleshly distractions, I pray, as well as drunkenness lest they forget Your ways and deprive themselves of what is right. Give them courage and passionate conviction to be a voice for the voiceless and speak out for the rights of the destitute. Oh Lord, I pray they will be an advocate for the poor and needy, defending their rights and judging with all fairness.

May my children be of rare noble character who are valued more than rubies. Let their spouses fully trust themselves with confidence to my children. Throughout their marriage, may they bring their spouses good and not harm. With strong hands, help them work hard to provide for their family. Strengthen them to rise early before dawn so they may prepare their household for the day. Help them exercise prudence, invest wisely, and make good decisions. Bless them with a good means to earn income so through their diligence they will plant and reap a good harvest. I pray You will make their ventures prosper as they invest time, effort, and skill to prepare for the many changing seasons of their lives. In turn, let them open their arms to the poor and extend their hands to the needy. Bless them, oh God, with skill and creativity to furnish, repair, and care for the needs and possessions of their household. Yet clothe them in fine linens and royalty. Lord, make them well-respected people of integrity who are leaders in their community. Elevate their livelihood and work interest beyond their initial vision and starting point, I pray. IN the same way, may You give them strength and dignity coupled with laughter to frame their future. From their lips, teach them to speak wisdom as You give faithful instruction to help them watch over their family affairs and rid them of idle laziness. Father God, let my children’s children bless them while their spouses shower them with praises. For youth and charm is fleeting but one who fears You is to be praised. OH Lord, give my children the rewards they have earned and let their works be praised.

“Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” Proverbs 30:5, (NASV)
 
When my children are weary and faint, strengthen them. When they lack understanding, wisdom, and knowledge of You, be their God. For You, who have gone to heaven and come down, command the wind and the water, and establish the ends of the earth. Let my children take refuge in You, I pray, for Your Word is flawless and perfect. Oh Lord, I ask You keep falsehood and lies far from them. Yet bless them with neither poverty nor riches but give them their daily bread. Keep their mouths from slander or cursing and their teeth from tearing like knives. In the same way, may their eyes not raise with arrogance nor look with loftiness. Instead, may my children find satisfaction and fulfillment in You. Grant them wisdom, understanding, and awe of You and Your creation, I pray. May You shake the ground beneath my children’s feet, oh God, as You turn what is weak and small in their lives to make them stronger and more wise.

“The fear of man brings a snare, but one who trusts in the Lord will be protected.” Proverbs 29:25, (NASV)
 
OH sovereign Lord, give my children tender hearts of repentance so they are not destroyed by stubborn refusals to abide correction. In turn, teach them to love wisdom and justice so they may bring You joy. Oh Lord, let them not engage in flattery or evil. Instead, may they sing and be glad in Your righteousness. Give them a heart for the poor as You cultivate a spirit of integrity within them. Yet help them turn away from anger to exercise self-control and fairness as You protect them against blood thirsty men. OH Lord, let me not be afraid to correct my children so they will bring me comfort and delight. In the same way, may they see the error of their ways so they may keep the law and be blessed. Guard them from speaking and acting in haste, anger, r pride, I pray. But make them humble and trust in You. Keep my children safe, oh God, and exact justice for them over the dishonest and the wicked.

“Evil people do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand everything.” Proverbs 28:5, (NASV)
 
Oh Father God, grant my children righteous boldness with understanding and knowledge. Make them blameless, orderly, champions of justice, and kind to the poor. May they seek after You and heed Your Word so when they pray, You will not turn away. Instead, prepare a good inheritance for them. Gift them with discernment to identify concealed sin in the heart of man. When they confess and repent of their sins, let my children know Your great mercies and joyful triumphs. In turn, shower them with Your blessings and make their hearts tender towards You with reverent fear and awe.

Raise my children up to be kind and caring leaders who despise dishonest gain. With integrity, may they walk blamelessly under the safety and shelter of Your wings. Oh Lord, help them work hard at what is before them with great diligence so they will reap an abundant harvest from their faithfulness and generosity. In the same way, help my children place their trust in You and walk in wisdom so they will be kept safe and prosper. Yet give them a heart for the poor which commits no murderous thought or deed but gives freely. As their parent, I pray they will treat me with honor and respect. Father God, make my children thrive beneath Your hand of power and glorify Your name forever.

“As in water a face reflects the face, so the heart of a person reflects the person.” Proverbs 27:19, (NASV)
 
Lord, help my children savor each moment rather than boast about the future or themselves. May they not be children of fury nor prone to provocation or jealousy. Instead, surround them with faithful and Godly friends who will sharpen each other like iron, offer wise counsel, and not forsake each other in times of need. May You likewise bless them with good neighbors who are the hands and feet of Christ. Yet find the wisdom of my children pleasing to You, I pray. When trouble arises, help them exercise prudence. With their finances, keep them from making impulsive and hasty decisions. I also pray my daughter or son’s future wife will not be quarrelsome nor struggle with restraining her tongue. But mold her to be kind, temperate, and loving. Shape her heart to yearn after You and reflect Your love. In turn, may Your praise be more desirable to them than the praise of man. Let them pay close attention, take note, and be knowledgeable about what You have given them to steward and who You have placed in their care. Bless them with plenty, oh God, and allow their crops to yield good harvests.

“A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin.” Proverbs 26:28, (NASV)
 
Oh Lord, protect my children from foolishness so they would not be wise in their own eyes nor a sluggard in laziness. Let meddling and deceitful talk be kept far from them along with a gossiping and quarrelsome tongue. Remove any malice or flattery from their lips, I pray, so they may be found truthful and honest. In turn, may You expose to my children any wicked thing hidden in man’s heart which is disguised through flattery and charm.

It’s been a crazy 48 hours. Between preparing for the end of Sweet’s Pea’s school, locating Christmas gifts for both parents, friends, and teachers, and preparing to see family, I’ve barely kept up. Well…Truth be told, I haven’t kept up…
 
So last night, I fell asleep addressing Christmas cards to Sweet Pea’s teachers. With it being the last day her school would be open prior to Christmas break, let’s just say, motor mom took over when I finally woke up. Thank the Lord, I had carefully wrapped and placed out Sweet Pea’s gift bags for her teachers the previous night. There they sat at the front door watching the chaotic morning unfold.
 
As I barked orders to my little girl, I rushed off the cards, fixed lunches because I had forgotten to do so, and threw breakfast down on the table (which by the way was leftover pizza from the night before). In a whirlwind, I sent them out the door with the additional burden of bulky teacher gift bags plus a pile of Christmas cards for the school’s faculty and staff. Whew! And they even left semi-almost-kind of on time…not too late! Pure relief poured over me as I shut the front door.
 
My husband was almost to Sweet Pea’s school and I had opened the refrigerator to prepare my breakfast when it hit me. I forgot the cheese! What cheese you may ask? My husband and I had purchased special, beautifully robust cheese as one of our gift’s mainstays for the teachers. I had carefully placed the cheese in the refrigerator the night before to ensure its fresh delivery the next day. There, it lay carefully wrapped in the refrigerator. Not in my daughter’s gift bags. And certainly not in anyone’s stomach.
 
Frantically, I called my husband’s cell phone. Being blind, I cannot drive. So how would I get this cheese to the school? I knew my husband could not turn back or else he would be late for work. A cloud of worry descended over me.
 
Thank the Lord, I was able to convey my alarming mishap before Sweet Pea reached the school. Disappointment riddled my little girl. She had been excited to be the bearer of yummy, delectable slices of cheese heaven. What to do?
 
I gnawed my lip. Suddenly, a lightbulb flashed. An idea glimmered. Maybe I could call a friend. So I broke all phone protocol and texted my friend well before eight in the morning.
 
As I waited to hear back, I worried. My mind spun in a million different directions. I paced the floors and fretted. How on earth would I get this cheese to the school? And if the cheese didn’t get delivered before the teachers left for winter break, it would sit at the school and become mold itself!
 
And then, in the midst of my flurried thoughts, I heard the still soft voice of the Holy Spirit. Don’t you think I can handle this? Don’t you think I’m big enough? I stopped in my tracks. Startled, the words echoed through my mind.
 
Then I started to laugh. Big belly laughs. And as a smile stretched over my face, the mantle of worry dissolved and dissipated. For the God who created the universe, parted the seas, raised the dead to life, and sent His only Son to this earth in the form of a little baby boy, could certainly take care of my cheese.
 
The absurdity of my little problem in comparison to all the things God has done, placed everything in proper perspective. Without a shadow of doubt, I knew with absolute certainty that the Big cheese has all my little cheeses. There is nothing He cannot do. Yet even though He has moved mountains and performed miracles, He cares about the small details of our lives. And He is good.
 
As we gather to celebrate the birth of our Lord this Christmas, treasure His Hope, love, faith, joy, and peace in your hearts. Take time to stop and be still so you may hear His still, soft voice. And know we can lay all our burdens and worries at His feet, no matter how big or how small. For He loves and cares for each one of us that He sent Emmanuel, God With Us, so we may have life forever more.
 
And for those of you who were wondering…Yes, thank the Lord and my friend, the cheese was successfully delivered! Hallelujah! Merry Christmas everyone!
 

“If your enemy is hungry give him food to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” Proverbs
25:21-22, (NASV)
 
Oh Lord, search my children and remove any impurities. Refined them like silver to be great vessels for You. Help them earnestly work to resolve problems with their neighbors. Yet give my children apt words and not betray confidences. IN turn, give them ears to listen to Your gentle rebukes. May You also refresh their Spirits while You bless them with patience and gentle tongues. But help them exercise restraint and self-control while they set wise boundaries, speaking truth, and giving honest accounts. Oh Lord, help my children show love to even their enemies so their witness may be rewarded.

​IN the same way, bless my children’s marriage, oh God. Cause them to speak words of love, encouragement, and wisdom rather than argue or quarrel. Strengthen them, oh God, so they do not give way to the wicked nor engage in arrogance or self-pride. Instead, let my children choose humility and self-control.

“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled.” Proverbs 24:3-4, (NASV)
 
OH Lord, I pray my children will not lust after evil. Instead, let them build their homes upon wisdom while they are established through understanding and their rooms are filled with treasure stores of knowledge. Make them wise with knowledge so they may increase in strength and receive Your great power. When they go to wage war, guide them, oh God, and bless them with many advisors so they will have the victory. In times of trouble, keep them from faltering but strengthen them so they will be rescued from death.

​OH Lord, help them find wisdom. Make it sweet to their souls like honey. Though they may repeatedly fall, raise up my children and bring down their enemies with calamity. I pray they will fear You while they stay far away from the rebellious. Oh Lord. IN their judgements, let them not show partiality but make truthful verdicts. Ready their fields, I pray, and build their homes. Keep them from poverty induced laziness by teaching them lessons of diligent work with good stewardship. IN the same way, use their lips for honesty and truth. In You, may they place their trust. Yet repay my children’s enemies, oh God, and those who have wronged them.