Eternal life

Precious Promises

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There is no better known symbol of precious stones than the diamond. But of even greater value are God’s promises in the middle of the real struggles in our lives. Peter writes these words as he faces the end of his own life at the hands of executioners. He looks back for a moment remembering how at the Lord’s invitation he had walked on water. In his mind he still sees the fish and loaves multiplied for 5,000 and a blind man by the roadside receiving sight. He could still recall his own tears when Jesus had looked at him while words of denial echoed in his mouth. Then only a few days later Jesus met with him to renew His promise that Peter was still loved and had been specially chosen to care for people just like us. How amazing and precious are these promises that Peter now passes on to us!

Anyone Thirsty?

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When we moved to Florida, drinking the public water isn’t so great so we began buying bottled water. My wife is a big fan of Aqua Fine water while I like Dasani. But many years ago when we lived in Southern Missouri our water came from a cistern by the side of the house. It looked like a well but was just a 20 foot deep concrete lined storage tank. When it rained the rain water passed through a charcoal   filter and when it didn’t we called the water truck. I still remember the year we d

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ecided to clean it out and I was lower to the bottom to bale out the residue and scrub it out with bleach. What was down there was pretty yucky and we had been drinking it!

Jesus has a way better source of water in mind for our life than that old cistern. He promises clean fresh living water. It is a water that does not need to be pumped in but instead it springs up from the depths with a connection to the river of life. Being connected to Jesus means always having  cold clean spiritual water to drink as well as to share with anyone who is thirsty. Are you thirsty today. Jesus invitation still stands. Come to Him and find the best water of all!

Our Future Hope

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This month I made a new friend. His name is Marcos and he is a resident at a local nursing home.  His room-mate can’t remember any family coming to visit and the aide who helps bring people in to our church service asked if I would have time to stop in. People like my  friend Marcos are everywhere. What hope do we have to offer them?

“How sweet to hold a newborn baby – And feel the pride and joy he gives”

Go the lines from the Gaither song “Because He Lives” The sweetness of holding a baby is nowhere seen more powerfully than in a nursing home. Sadly there are few people willing to bring their babies in so the staff provides lifelike dolls for the residents to cradle. They gently rock their baby and their faces light up with smiles. It is almost as if God has built into us a response of hope for the future every time we see a tiny baby.

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Whether sitting in a nursing facility or standing in a cap and gown waiting to graduate from high school our future hope is always in the love of God. His plans for us are to give us hope. His plans for our future are always for our good. We can trust Him till our final breathe here on earth, knowing that in a moment we will be breathing in our first breathe of heaven!

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.     Jeremiah 29:11