The brokenhearted

Recently, we acquired some items including a few decorative dishes.

At first, I didn’t notice that one of the plates had been broken and repaired.

Obviously, the repair hadn’t been the best, as it easily came apart along the original break when knocked over a few days later.

As I looked at this plate, waiting for me to find time to repair it, my heart was reminded of a truth.

Our lives are broken by sin.

How often do we try to repair them with something that will never work?

It may seem to.

Like the plate, the broken place might not be noticed.

But the stress of circumstances will reveal the fracture.

There’s only one glue for our lives.

There’s only one place we can go to be perfectly repaired.

Jesus.

He said so Himself:

Luke 4:18 NKJV — “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;”

The Lord is in the business of healing and restoration.

That why Jesus came, to restore His creation, mankind, to a right relationship with Him.

Truly, we can see the brokenhearted and the tragic results of sin all around us, but we have hope and a Healer.

He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.
Psalms 147:3 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.147.3.NKJV

He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
Psalms 23:3 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.23.3.NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for all Your wonderous works. Lord, thank You for this wonderful reminder of Your great love and Your ways. Lord, if there is any place in me which I have allowed sin, please show me that I might repent and be healed. Lord, I know we will continue to see and experience the effects of sin until You return and put all things right. Until that time, please let Your truth be known. Let Your salvation heal and restore. Lord, please, let the brokenhearted seek You and find wholeness. Thank You, Lord. Amen.

August 23rd

Each day, I read God’s Word and pray.

This is today’s.

For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth;
Job 19:25 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Nothing in all the Earth compares to this. You are my Redeemer, and the One Who saves my soul. One day You will return for Your Bride. How I long for that day! Lord Jesus, purify my heart, cleanse me completely that I might be ready to honor You today. Lord, cause me to continually turn to You and Your Word in all areas, in every part. Lord Jesus, I want to be held by Your truth, filled by Your Holy Spirit, and be a Christ follower, one who picks up and carries their cross daily and with joy. Lord, I lay my plans, my ideas, and my desires before You. I trust You to speak through Your Word to my heart and mind, to provide for all my needs, to guide and direct all my steps. In days of uncertainty, may I cling to You. In days of pain, may I rejoice in Your salvation. In days of joy, may I praise You continually. Lord, Your ways are best, Your love is pure, You are the Redeemer. Thank You. Amen.

During my absence

Forgive my absence in writing of late.

Thursday I came down with a fever.

I ran a fever for four days, although Friday was decidedly the worst and highest.

It was a difficult time, especially on my family.

God healed me.

His faithfulness is incredible.

I will be recovering from this for a while but I am so thankful to God.

He was with me the entire time.

When rest was unattainable, I was blessed to pray for all the people He brought to mind.

When my head swam and thoughts refused to make sense, a song of praise was my steady place.

Even when the simple joys of life seem difficult to recognize, I could find joy and comfort in repeating the scriptures.

Jesus is my Shepherd.

He has restored my soul.

Nothing is unbearable if Jesus shares it with you.

Praise God!

This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life. Psalm 119: 50 NKJV

8 days till Christmas

Psalm 23:2-3a NKJV — He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul.

For a sheep to lie down in green pastures means two things

First, they have eaten their fill.

Second, there’s more available the moment they want to stand up and eat again.

Jesus said, “I am that bread of life.” John 6:48 KJV

Still water is the only kind most sheep will go near. They are afraid of moving water since they are not built to swim.

John 4:14 NKJV — “but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross paid for every sin and saves us from eternal death.

His life gives us abundant spiritual bread and water.

John 6:35 KJV — And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Truly, Jesus restores the soul.

While celebrating the birth of our Savior, let us recall the beauty of salvation and the joy which comes from freedom from the bonds of sin and death.

Psalm 51:12 KJV — Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Pictures today can be either hay and a watering trough, or bread and a water jar. Both would be expected in a place which housed animals and people.

Play, listen, and or sing Away in a Manger.

While enjoying this Christmas carol let your heart meditate upon the truths we’ve already looked at. First, Jesus is the Lamb of God. Secondly, the manger wasn’t a mistake, but a purposeful picture. Third, Jesus’s death and resurrection restores our souls from sin and death.